Early planar and early SPECT Tc-99m sestamibi imaging: can it replace the dual-phase technique for the localization of parathyroid adenomas by omitting the delayed phase?

Purpose: To evaluate whether an early protocol (EP) (early planar and early SPECT) with Tc-99m sestamibi could demonstrate the delayed image of the established dual-phase scintigraphy unnecessary without any decrease in sensitivity for the localization of parathyroid adenomas.

Materials And Methods: A study was carried out in 80 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (65 women; mean age, 61.8±14.