Prognostic Value of 99mTc-Sestamibi Parathyroid Scintigraphy in Predicting Future Surgical Eligibility in Patients With Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Purpose Patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism might have a positive Tc-99m-sestamibi parathyroid but do not meet criteria for surgical resection when the disease is diagnosed. However, many of these asymptomatic patients will become symptomatic or meet criteria for surgery later on. The aim of this study was to determine whether a positive sestamibi scan can precede future surgical eligibility in these patients. Methods This retrospective study reviewed the records of 94 asymptomatic patients who had hyperparathyroidism and underwent Tc-99m-sestamibi study with SPECT/CT imaging. Among them, 35 patients, including 12 with positive and 23 with negative sestamibi parathyroid scan, did not meet the criteria for surgery at the time of imaging, and follow-up record for at least 1 year was assessed on these patients. The imaging findings and the eligibility for surgery at the end of the follow-up were compared. Results With a median follow-up of 2.4 years (range, 1-4 years), among all 35 patients who were initially not eligible for surgery, 6 of 12 patients with a positive sestamibi scan became eligible for surgery, whereas 20 of 23 patients with negative scans remained ineligible for surgery. Conclusions Positive parathyroid SPECT/CT predicted a higher possibility of meeting surgical criteria over time in asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism patients who are not surgery eligible at the time of presentation.