Interpretation of 99mTc sestamibi parathyroid SPECT scan is improved when read by the surgeon and nuclear medicine physician together

Objective Parathyroid gland localization and lateralization are important before surgery, particularly for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) and recurrent hyperparathyroidism. We hypothesized that readings of Tc-99m sestamibi scans with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) by a surgeon and nuclear medicine physician together (NMP + S) compared to a nuclear medicine physician alone (NMP alone) might affect scan interpretation accuracy. Methods Between May 1999 and December 2002, 127 hyperparathyroid patients had preoperative localization with sestamibi SPECT. Scans were prospectively interpreted by an endocrine surgeon and nuclear medicine physician attending together (NMP + S) and a nuclear medicine physician attending alone (NMP alone). These readings were compared to intra-operative findings, which served as the 'gold standard'. Results There were 120 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (55 underwent MIP) and seven with secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism; seven patients had recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Of 127 patients, 83 had single adenomas; 27, double adenomas; 15, hyperplasia; one, MENIIA; and one, parathyroid cancer. Sensitivity and positive predictive values were 58.6% and 67.4% for NMP alone compared to 81.9% and 70.0% for NMP + S. The overall accuracy of correct localization was 45.7% vs. 60.6% (P < 0.01) and of correct lateralization was 69.3% vs. 80.3% (P < 0.01) for NMP alone versus NMP + S respectively. The most common finding interpreted incorrectly by NMP alone and correctly by NMP + S was an ectopic superior parathyroid adenoma in the inferior position. Ninety-eight per cent of patients were cured of their hyperparathyroidism. Conclusions Parathyroid sestamibi SPECT scan interpretation by an endocrine surgeon reading with a nuclear medicine attending resulted in improved accuracy of gland localization and lateralization compared to a nuclear medicine attending reading alone. This improvement may be due to increased awareness of clinical factors and head-and-neck anatomy.