Abstract:
Objective To develop an effective and accurate technique for parathyroid localization to achieve precise localization before thyroid surgery. This new technique aims to improve the rate of positive parathyroid recognition, effectively protect the parathyroid glands, improve the safety and efficacy of thyroid surgery, and evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonic examination of parathyroid glands.
Methods Ultrasonography was performed, by an ultrasound physician, on the parathyroid glands of patients scheduled for thyroid surgery at the Head and Neck Surgery Department of Sichuan Cancer Hospital. The condition of the parathyroid gland determined on ultrasonography was recorded. Methylene blue (0.1-0.5 mL) was used to localize the parathyroid gland under ultrasonic guidance, after obtaining informed consent from the patients. Then we recorded the condition of stained parathyroid glands during operation. Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, such as numbness of limbs and convulsions, and serum parathyroid hormone and serum calcium levels were recorded postoperatively.
Results A total of 76 parathyroid glands were detected in 50 patients by ultrasonic examination before thyroid surgery. The detection rate of parathyroid glands in total was 54.29% (76/140), and that of the superior parathyroid gland was 40.00% (28/70). The detection rate of the inferior parathyroid gland was 68.57% (48/70). All parathyroid glands showed medium-enhanced echo nodules on ultrasonography. Every parathyroid gland had a higher echo intensity than that of the thyroid gland, and all parathyroid glands showed a clear boundary and a uniform elliptical or round echo. In our study, the preoperative parathyroid glands were localized in 33 cases. A total of 50 parathyroid glands were localized before operation, and 37 parathyroid glands were stained (with a total staining rate of 74.0%; 37/50). Among these, 10 parathyroid glands were proven by intraoperative pathological analysis or the parathyroid hormone test. Transient hypoparathyroidism was found in nine of the patients included in this study.
Conclusions Ultrasonography can effectively identify normal parathyroid glands. Localization of the parathyroid gland under ultrasonic guidance before thyroidectomy is clinically feasible and this method can be used effectively for the preoperative localization of the parathyroid gland.