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MRI findings and utility of DWI in the evaluation of solid parathyroid lesions

  • HEAD, NECK AND DENTAL RADIOLOGY
  • Published:
La radiologia medica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the MRI findings of solid parathyroid lesions and to elaborate on a possible improvement of MRI detection of parathyroid lesions by the use of additional DWI.

Materials and methods

MRI and DWI properties of pathologically proven 20 solid parathyroid lesions were retrospectively reviewed. Mean ADC values (b50 + b400 + b800/3) of parathyroid lesions were compared with that of normal appearing thyroid parenchyma (TP), sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and jugulodigastric lymph nodes (JDLN).

Results

Of lesions, 4 were parathyroid hyperplasia, 13 parathyroid adenoma and 3 parathyroid adenocarcinoma. All parathyroid lesions were very bright on fat-saturated T2W images. Parathyroid hyperplasia and adenoma were small sized, homogenous, well-defined and low on T1W, high on T2W and avidly enhancing. Parathyroid carcinoma was large sized, ill-defined and very heterogeneous on MRI including DWI. Means ADC values of parathyroid hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma, TP, SCM and JDLN were measured as 2.3 ± 0.14 × 10−3, 1.7 ± 0.45 × 10−3, 1.5 ± 1.48 × 10−3, 0.87 ± 0.40 × 10−3, 0.55 ± 0.21 × 10−3 and 0.96 ± 0.33 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. All parathyroid lesions had high diffusion properties comparing other soft tissue structures of head and neck region. By increasing strength (b value) of diffusion tensor on DWI, solid parathyroid lesions still kept their brightness comparing other soft tissue structures of head and neck region because of their high T2 properties.

Conclusion

Solid parathyroid lesions had higher diffusion properties comparing other soft tissues structures of head and neck region. This feature makes them easily differentiate from nearby structures on fat-saturated T2W and DWI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Seyma Yildiz, Ayse Aralasmak, Huseyin Yetis, Rukiye Kilicarslan, Rasul Sharifov, Alpay Alkan & Huseyin Toprak

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  1. Seyma Yildiz
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  2. Ayse Aralasmak
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  3. Huseyin Yetis
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  4. Rukiye Kilicarslan
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Correspondence to Seyma Yildiz.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Our studies is retrospective. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

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This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

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Yildiz, S., Aralasmak, A., Yetis, H. et al. MRI findings and utility of DWI in the evaluation of solid parathyroid lesions. Radiol med 124, 360–367 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-018-0970-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-018-0970-8

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