What is a Parathyroid Scan? Reason(s) for the Examination:
A parathyroid scan is used to help identify parathyroid adenomas (hyperactive parathyroid tissue) or hyperplastic (large) parathyroid glands prior to surgical removal to treat high calcium levels in the blood.
Length of Exam:
20 minutes of imaging; come back 2-3 hour later for another 20 minutes of imaging.
Preparation:
Do not ingest any food or medications containing large amounts of iodine (e.g. cold medicines, seafood, iodized salt, previous intravenous dye for prior radiological examinations, etc.) or thyroid hormone pills prior to the study. Please be prepared to list all medications (some may interfere with the test).
Description:
A tracer that goes into your parathyroid and thyroid glands will be injected in a vein followed by multiple images of the neck and chest 15 minutes and 2-3 hours later. A second tracer (that goes into thyroid gland tissue only) may then be injected, followed by multiple images.