You’ve been feeling… off. Maybe it’s a persistent tiredness, some aches you can’t quite pin down, or perhaps your blood tests showed your calcium levels are a bit high. When we see something like that, one of the things we start thinking about are these tiny glands in your neck called the parathyroid glands. And if we suspect one of them might be working a bit too hard, a parathyroid scan can be a really helpful next step. It’s a way for us to get a look at these glands without, you know, actually having to look look.
So, What Exactly is a Parathyroid Scan?
Alright, let’s break it down. A parathyroid scan is essentially an imaging test. It’s safe, generally painless, and it helps us doctors see if one or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive. Think of them as four tiny, rice-sized powerhouses sitting behind your thyroid gland in your neck. Their main job? Keeping the calcium in your blood in a happy balance.
Sometimes, one (or rarely, more) of these glands goes into overdrive. This is a condition we call hyperparathyroidism, and it basically means your body is making too much parathyroid hormone, leading to high calcium in your blood. If we’ve done blood tests that point to this, and we think surgery might be the best way to help you feel better, that’s often when a parathyroid scan comes into play.
The scan helps us pinpoint exactly which gland (or glands) is the culprit. Knowing this allows surgeons to be super precise, often making the surgery what we call minimally invasive – smaller incisions, quicker recovery. Good stuff, right? Occasionally, these glands aren’t quite where we expect them to be (we call these ectopic glands), and the scan helps us find their hiding spot.
The Different Kinds of Scans: Ultrasound and Nuclear
We’ve got a couple of main tools in our imaging toolkit for this:
- Ultrasound Parathyroid Scan: You’ve probably heard of ultrasounds, maybe even had one during pregnancy or for another reason. It’s the same idea here. We use sound waves – totally safe – to create pictures of the inside of your neck. It’s like getting a live-action movie of your parathyroid glands. This helps us see if any of them look bigger than they should.
- Nuclear Parathyroid Scan: Now, this one sounds a bit more high-tech, and it is, but it’s also very safe. It’s often called a sestamibi scan or MIBI scan.
- Here’s the gist: a very small, safe amount of a radioactive liquid (we call it a radiotracer) is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. This tracer travels through your bloodstream and is taken up by your parathyroid glands.
- The overactive gland tends to soak up more of this tracer, making it “light up” or look brighter on the images taken by a special camera.
- There are a couple of variations. Sometimes it’s a single-phase dual-isotope subtraction imaging where you get two different tracers at different times. Other times, it’s single-isotope dual-phase imaging, with one tracer and pictures taken at a couple of different time points – say, 10-15 minutes after, and then again maybe 90 minutes to three hours later. This helps us see how the tracer behaves over time.
Sometimes, we might even use both an ultrasound and a nuclear scan to get the clearest possible picture. And rarely, other imaging like an MRI or PET scan might be considered. We’ll always chat about what’s best for your specific situation.
Getting Ready for Your Parathyroid Scan
So, you’re scheduled for a scan. What now?
Usually, it’s pretty straightforward. We’ll let you know if there are any special instructions, like if you need to avoid eating or drinking beforehand.
You’ll want to leave any jewelry or metal accessories at home, as they can sometimes interfere with the imaging. Just simple, comfy clothes.
One important thing: if you’re having a nuclear scan, please, please let us know if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding. It’s crucial information for us to ensure everything is done safely.
What’s It Like During the Scan?
This depends on which type you’re having:
If it’s an Ultrasound:
- You’ll lie back on an exam table, usually with a little pillow or roll under your shoulders to help extend your neck a bit.
- The technician will put some cool gel on your neck. It’s harmless and washes off easily.
- Then, they’ll use a smooth, handheld device called a transducer (it kind of looks like a microphone) and gently move it over the gel on your skin. This is what’s sending out those sound waves and capturing the images.
- They’ll ask you to stay nice and still – the less movement, the clearer the pictures.
- Once done, they’ll wipe off the gel, and you’re all set!
If it’s a Nuclear Scan:
- As I mentioned, you’ll get that injection of the radiotracer. You might feel a tiny pinch, like any other shot, but that’s usually it.
- Then, you’ll lie on an exam table. A special camera will be positioned to take pictures of your neck area.
- You just need to relax and lie still.
You shouldn’t feel any side effects from the tracer, and you’ll be able to drive yourself home afterward. No biggie.
How Long Will It Take?
- An ultrasound is pretty quick, usually around 30 minutes to an hour.
- A nuclear parathyroid scan can take a bit longer, generally anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the exact type and if they need images at different time points. It’s a good idea to bring a book or something to keep you occupied if there’s waiting time involved.
Understanding Your Parathyroid Scan Results
After the scan, a radiologist (a doctor who specializes in interpreting medical images) or another specialist will look at the pictures carefully. They’ll write up a report and send it to me (or your primary doctor) and your surgeon if one is involved.
We’ll then schedule a follow-up appointment to go over everything with you. This usually takes a few days, maybe up to a week. I know waiting for results can be a bit nerve-wracking, but we try to get them to you as soon as we can.
So, what does an “abnormal” result mean?
Essentially, the parathyroid scan is trying to show which gland (or glands) is overactive and might need to be removed.
- On a nuclear scan, an overactive gland often shows up as a “hot spot” – an area that really soaked up that tracer. That’s a big clue for the surgeon.
- On an ultrasound, an abnormal gland usually just looks enlarged compared to the others.
Your Take-Home Message on Parathyroid Scans
Okay, let’s boil it down:
- A parathyroid scan is an imaging test to find overactive parathyroid glands, often if you have hyperparathyroidism.
- It helps surgeons be precise if surgery is needed.
- Common types are ultrasound (using sound waves) and nuclear scans (using a safe radioactive tracer like sestamibi).
- Preparation is usually simple; just follow our instructions.
- The scans themselves are generally painless. Ultrasounds are quick; nuclear scans can take a few hours.
- Results will show if a gland is enlarged or “hot,” guiding treatment.
We’ll discuss all the findings and what they mean for you, and we’ll figure out the best path forward together. You’re not alone in this.
