US imaging and color Doppler in patients undergoing inhibitory therapy with calcitriol for secondary hyperparathyroidism

Spectral Doppler analysis of parathyroid adenoma: correlation between resistive index and serum parathyroid hormone concentration

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between spectral wave analyses by measuring the resistive index and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentration in primary hyperparathyroidism.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

From March 2008 to April 2012, 46 consecutively registered patients underwent color and spectral Doppler ultrasonography for determination of vascularity and vascular resistance of parathyroid adenoma. The color Doppler sonographic findings were compared with methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphic findings, serum iPTH concentration, and the volume of the gland.

RESULTS

The mean resistive index in parathyroid adenoma was 0.69 ± 0.12. The study showed a strong negative relation between resistive index and serum iPTH concentration. There was a significant negative relation between the volume of the gland and the resistive index.

CONCLUSION

There is a relation between degree of perfusion in parathyroid adenoma and serum iPTH concentration. Resistive index may be an objective alternative parameter for determining the vascularity of adenoma for monitoring of response to alcohol ablation therapy and medical management.

Assessment of parathyroid glands in hemodialysis patients by using color Doppler sonography

The aim of this study was to assess the role of color and spectral Doppler ultrasound (CDU) in the evaluation of enlarged parathyroid glands in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Fourteen hemodialysis patients with elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were evaluated prospectively with CDU. The volume of each observed parathyroid gland and the spectral CDU data (velocities, resistance and pulsatility indices, systolic to diastolic ratio, and flow volume output (FVO)) were noted. The biochemical data (iPTH, calcium, phosphate levels), and CDU results were analyzed with the Spearman correlation test. Two patients were excluded, and 27 enlarged parathyroid glands were observed in 12 patients. The mean total volume of enlarged parathyroid glands per patient was 1.95 cm(3) (0.06-5.5 cm(3)). Arterial supply was demonstrated in 78% (21/27) of enlarged parathyroid glands. Mean total FVO of enlarged glands per patient was 238.5 ml/min (620-0 ml/min) and mean iPTH level was 1,477 pg/ml (643-3,132 pg/ml). The positive correlations of total volume (p = 0.022), iPTH (p = 0.024), and FVO (p = 0.022) were statistically significant. In secondary hyperparathyroidism, total volume of the visualized enlarged parathyroid glands and the total of FVOs per patient are positively correlated with iPTH levels which may help clinical management and follow-up of end-stage renal disease patients.

Ultrasound patterns of parathyroid glands in chronic hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

The role ofparathyroid glands (PTG) ultrasonography (US) in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is still controversial. The present study aimed at evaluating the relationship between US findings and SHPT degree as well as therapeutic outcome.

METHODS

Twenty hemodialysis patients with moderate SHPT and 15 with severe SHPT underwent US to assess the PTG number, maximum longitudinal diameter (MLD), structural (1-hypoechoic, 2-slight heterogeneous, 3-high heterogeneous, 4-nodular) and vascular patterns (1-slight, 2-medium and 3-high).

RESULTS

PTG number, MLD and US patterns were correlated with iPTH levels. MLD of patients with moderate or severe SHPT was 7.2 +/- 2.3 and 15 +/- 5.1 mm (p < 0.001). Most patients with moderate SHPT showed a single PTG with an MLD <9 mm associated with 1-2 structural and vascular pattern, whereas patients with severe SHPT exhibited more than one PTG with MLD >9 mm and 3-4 structural and vascular patterns. Thirteen patients were responders to treatment and 22 nonresponders. In nonresponders, a higher number of PTG was observed as well as higher echostructural and vascular patterns. In 14 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy, no differences were found between PTG US MLD and pathology diameter. All PTG with evidence of 3-4 structural and vascular score at ultrasound showed nodular hyperplasia at pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONS

The adopted classification of US findings is correlated with SHPT degree and therapeutic outcome and might be an adjunctive predictive method useful to assess the SHPT severity and to plan the therapeutic strategy.