Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy of parathyroid adenomas and its relation to tumour size and oxyphil cell abundance

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) uptake by parathyroid adenomas, oxyphil ce ll content and volume of the lesions. Thirty-one patients with parathyroid adenomas were evaluated prospectively. Preoperative double-phase 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy was performed in all patients and tracer uptake by parathyroi d lesions was assessed semi-quantitatively employing region of interest rat ios to normal adjacent neck areas. Surgical specimens underwent histologica l evaluation and oxyphil cell content was determined. The intensity of trac er uptake was compared with oxyphil cell content, volume of the lesions and serum levels of calcium and parathormone. 99mTc-MIBI tracer uptake was cor related with oxyphil cell content, volume of parathyroid lesions and the fu nctional status of the parathyroid adenomas, Tracer accumulation in oxyphil cells might partially explain the preferential 99mTc-MIBI retention in par athyroid lesions.