Technetium-99m pertechnetate uptake in ectopic parathyroid adenoma

A 37-year old male with a persistent increased parathyroid hormone level, a fter subtotal thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, was referred for scintig raphic localization of a possible ectopic parathyroid adenoma. Tc-99m perte chnetate and Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy were performed on separate days. Ther e was marked uptake of both tracers in the mediastinum, which at surgery wa s confirmed to be an extrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma. Hypervascularity w as suggested as a possible explanation for rare cases of pertechnetate avid parathyroid adenomas. And Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy proved to be a successf ul imaging procedure for ectopic parathyroid tissue.