Does routine use of ultrasound result in additional thyroid procedures in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism?
GROUND: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism depends on accurate preoperative imaging. Cervical ultrasound is commonly used to localize parathyroid adenomas, but can lead to discovery of concomitant thyroid gland pathology requiring modification of the operative approach. How the identification of incidental thyroid lesions affects patient management is unclear. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective database of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy was analyzed for thyroid pathology discovered by ultrasound. Lesions were biopsied if indicated, and operative management was adjusted accordingly. Clinical data were correlated with operative decision-making. RESULTS: Between July 2002 and November 2009, 310 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent ultrasound. Concomitant thyroid pathology was noted in 89 (29%) patients. Thirty-seven patients (42% of pathology) underwent fine-needle aspiration of a thyroid nodule. Thirteen patients (4% of all patients) under
