Sestamibi Parathyroid Scan

What is a Sestamibi Parathyroid Scan?

A Sestamibi Parathyroid Scan is a diagnostic examination to determine the anatomy and function of your parathyroid glands. These are four small glands embedded in the back surface of the thyroid gland, which is situated in the front of your neck.

To investigate how your parathyroid glands are functioning you will have to attend the hospital for one or  two scans over two days:

 Day 1: SPECT CT Parathyroid Scan

 Day 2: Ultrasound Scan

How do I prepare for a Sestamibi Parathyroid Scan?

There is no special preparation necessary prior to the scan. You may eat and drink as normal. However, it is important that you inform the Nuclear Medicine Department if you are breast feeding or are (or think you could be) pregnant. This study may not be suitable for pregnant women because of the radiation dose to the growing foetus. If you are taking thyroid medication you may need to stop taking these before you have the scan. Your doctor will advise you about this. You will not be asked to change your clothes but will be requested to remove any jewellery around the neck prior to the scan.

What happens during a Sestamibi Parathyroid Scan?

On the first appointment date, scans will be taken of your parathyroid glands 10 minutes and 90 minutes after your radioisotope injection. Ten minutes after the injection, a dual-headed gamma camera will be used to detect the Sestamibi radiopharmaceutical that your parathyroid glands will have absorbed. It will come quite close to your head but will not touch you at any point and you will be asked to remain quite still. The duration of the first scan is 20 minutes.

I have heard that hospital owned imaging facilities are four times more expensive than free standing facility like Health Images in Aurora. So why am I being asked to do this at Medical Center of Aurora?

There is chance that you may need biopsy and subsequent procedures and care. These are at present only available in hospital setting. So we send patients for this scan to The Medical Center of Aurora. 

How do I get the results?

The results will be sent to us by the hospital. We will discuss the results during your next appointment  and modify your care plan using new information available after the scan. Please book a follow up appointment. A video appointment is more convenient.