The detection of parathyroid tumours by selenomethionine scanning

Abstract

The necks of 12 patients with parathyroid tumors were scanned after the intravenous injection of radioactive selenomethionine. In 6 of these cases the diagnosis made on the scan was checked against the findings at operation. In 2 of the patients the serum calcium was depressed by an infusion of disodium EDTA immediately before the injection of selenomethionine, but there is no evidence that this enhanced the uptake of aminoacid by the parathyroid glands. In 2 patients with parathyroid carcinoma the positions of the tumors were shown clearly on the scan. In only 1 patient with a parathyroid adenoma did the scan provide an entirely accurate and surgically useful diagnosis. Large tumors can usually be detected by scans made 60 to 90 min. after the injection of selenomethionine. However, if small deep tumors are to be detected the scan must be made within an hr. of the time of injection. The reasons for this are discussed.