Use of a handheld, semiconductor (cadmium zinc telluride) -based gamma camera in navigation surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism
Fujii, T.; Yamaguchi, S.; Yajima, R.; Tsutsumi, S.; Uchida, N.; Asao, T.; Oriuch, N.; Kuwano, H.
American Surgeon 77(6): 690-693
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1555-9823 PMID: 21679634 Document Number: 652482
The recent development of gamma-ray probes makes it possible to perform radioguided surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). There have only been a few reports, however, regarding the use of a handheld gamma camera to detect parathyroid adenoma intraoperatively. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the efficiency of a semiconductor gamma camera (eZ-SCOPE AN) in navigation surgery for PHPT. The eZ-SCOPE is designed to be used as a handheld, regional diagnostic imaging device. Eleven consecutive patients with documented primary hyperparathyroidism underwent surgery using this compact camera. Scintigraphy images of the neck by eZ-SCOPE were acquired: 1) before skin incision; 2) after adenoma location; 3) after adenoma excision; and 4) ex vivo imaging of the specimen. In scan-positive cases by preoperative Tc-MIBI, the eZ-SCOPE revealed parathyroid adenoma in all cases (100%), whereas ultrasound and CT showed a single adenoma in 63.6 and 72.7 per cent of cases, respectively. Navigation surgery for PHPT using the eZ-SCOPE permitted intraoperative identification and removal of parathyroid adenoma in all cases. Scintigraphy images of the neck by eZ-SCOPE also revealed a single adenoma even before skin incision. Our results suggest that Tc-MIBI scintigraphy with the eZ-SCOPE is useful for navigation surgery for PHPT. The eZ-SCOPE is useful for skin marking and could be easily applied for minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy in scan-positive cases.