The intraoperative mini gamma camera in primary hyperparathyroidism surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The evolution of primary hyperparathyroidism surgical treatment has been improved by the arrival of new techniques that allow for better parathyroid gland tracking. A mini gamma camera has recently been developed that makes it possible to take intraoperative parathyroid gammagraphies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of this technique. METHOD We prospectively studied 29 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, comparing the diagnostic effectiveness of the MGP with the results obtained with preoperative techniques (ultrasound scan plus Tc(99m)-sestamibi gammagraphy). RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of the mini gamma camera was superior to those of the preoperative techniques, applied to the lateral neck as well as to the face of the neck (lateral: 89.6% sensitivity and 96.15% specificity compared to 79.31% and 92.59% respectively; and neck face: sensitivity and specificity 83.33% and 90.91% against 48.39% and 72.73%). CONCLUSIONS The portable mini gamma camera accurately tracks pathologic parathyroid glands. In that sense, it could be useful when considering a radio-guided surgery with minimal parathyroid invasion.