American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 142, Issue 4, 693-695
Copyright © 1984 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Detection of mediastinal parathyroid glands by nonselective digital arteriography
AG Krudy,
JL Doppman,
DL Miller,
JA Norton,
SJ Marx,
AM Spiegel,
AC Santora 2nd,
GD Aurbach,
and
M Schaaf
Six patients with failed previous operations and anterior mediastinal parathyroid glands were evaluated with selective angiography and nonselective arterial digital arteriography. Selective angiography depicted two of nine mediastinal glands; nonselective arterial digital arteriography depicted only one of nine mediastinal glands and missed a sizable (4.5 cm) gland demonstrated by routine arteriography. Nonselective arterial digital arteriography did not demonstrate any additional mediastinal glands. From this preliminary experience, it was concluded that nonselective arterial digital arteriography is not a sensitive method for detecting mediastinal glands.