Time required:
This exam requires 2 visits to our office.
Your initial appointment will take approximately 45 minutes-1 hour.
You will then return 2 1/2 hours later, and this part of the exam will take 30-45 minutes.

Purpose:
A parathyroid scan is used for detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands. This may be suspected by physical exam or increased levels of serum calcium and/or parathyroid hormone by blood test.

Preparation:
There is no special preparation needed for this exam.

Test Procedure:
At your initial appointment, you will meet with the technologist who will talk with you about your medical history. You will then be injected into an arm vein with a radioactive isotope which allows us to visualize any hyperfunctioning glands. Immediately following the injection, you will lie down on a camera to have images of your head and neck taken. These will take approximately 45 minutes. The technologist will then advise you to return to our office in 2 1/2 hours for a second set of images, which will take 30-45 minutes.

A radiologist will interpret your results, and they will be sent to your doctor.