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Parathyroid Case 3 Answers

1) Are there any abnormal areas of uptake?

Yes, there is raised uptake below the right side of the thyroid gland.

2) How do you explain this in light of the given history?

This person has a supernumerary ectopic parathyroid gland, which has not been previously resected.

3) What proportion of people have these?

Approximately 3-13% have supernumerary parathyroid glands

4) What proportion of cases are due to malignant glands?

Approximately 1% of cases of hyperparathyroidism is due to a parathyroid carcinoma. They are clinically, biochemically and scintigraphically identical and usually only diagnosed after histological examination of the resected specimen.

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The text is entirely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect that of RUH NHS Trust or the Bristol Radiology Training Scheme. Website content devised by Paul McCoubrie.