Aspiration of enlarged parathyroid glands for parathyroid hormone assay.

Abstract

Enlarged parathyroid glands [adenoma suspected] were percutaneously aspirated under computed tomographic (CT) control in 7 patients, and levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and human thyroglobulin were measured. All 7 patients had high levels of PTH in at least 1 specimen. The measurement of high concentrations of PTH in the aspirate from a cervical or mediastinal mass, with CT documentation of needle position, provides absolute localization of parathyroid masses.