Parathyroid Imaging: An Approach to Protocol Evaluation

Abstract

A review of the literature demonstrates that even though the basic subtraction approach to parathyroid imaging remains the same, there are a number of technical variables that can be adjusted to optimize the parathyroid procedure. The volume of parathyroid studies is not sufficient to allow a comparison of technical parameters with separate groups of patients. Also, this type of study cannot be repeated with different parameters without reinjecting the patient. We proposed the use of a phantom, which would simulate realistic imaging situations, to help in protocol evaluation. We examined this approach with collimator selection because collimator parameters can be measured. Two collimators were evaluated for both sensitivity and resolution. We then compared these conclusions with those derived from our phantom measurements. There was basic agreement with both phantom and collimator parameter measurements. We concluded that this type of phantom could be useful in analysis of parathyroid imaging parameters.