Multi-center sestamibi parathyroid imaging study in Hawaii.

Technetium-99m (99mTc) sestamibi (MIBI) was first used as a parathyroid imaging agent in Hawaii in 1991. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the MIBI scan in detecting abnormal parathyroid glands. A retrospective, multi-center study from 1992-1994 involving 33 patients in four hospitals showed the overall sensitivity of the MIBI scan for detecting hyperparathyroid disease was 90%. The positive predictive value was 93%. It was more sensitive in detecting adenomas (95%) than hyperplasia (45%). In conclusion, the MIBI scan can be helpful in detecting abnormal parathyroid glands and may be most useful prior to reoperations for persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism.