Parathyroid Scan

What is a Parapthyroid Scan?
(also known as a Sestamibi thyroid scan)
A Parathyroid scan is performed to localise possible parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Image

How long does a Parathyroid Scan take?
Please allow approximately 5 hours for this scan to be completed. There is a 3-hour period in the middle of the scan where you can leave the practice and return for more scans.

What preparation is there for a Parathyroid Scan?
Please notify the practice if you have had a recent CT scan with contrast injection.
Cease Thyroxine (Oroxine) 5 days prior
You can eat and drink as normal; avoid wearing jewellery around your neck.
Please bring your referral from the doctor, any relevant recent scans/tests, and your Medicare card.

What does a Parathyroid Scan involve?
You will be given a small injection of a radioactive tracer that is taken up by the Thyroid. This injection will not make you feel any different. Following a short wait (15 minutes), images will be acquired of your Thyroid. You will be required to remain still while your head and neck is place under a scanning camera.
Following this you will be given another small injection of a different radioactive tracer that is taken up by your Parathyroid. Again, this injection will not make you feel any different. Following a short wait (30 – 45 minutes) images will be acquired of your Parathyroid.
The technologist will then give you a time to return to the practice, 3-hours after the injection time of your Parathyroid injection. During this break you are free to do all normal activities including, eating, drinking and driving a car.
On your return to the practice you will be asked to lie on the scanning table and more images will be acquired. This will take approximately 30 minutes.

When are the results available?
After your scan is completed a Nuclear Medicine Physician will review your scan and write a report of the results. This report and the scan images will be sent securely electronically to your referring doctor/specialist. If you require your results to be sent to a different doctor please advise the staff on the day of your scan.

Are there any costs for this scan?
No, your scan will be Bulk Billed. This means there is NO out of pocket cost for you if you qualify for Medicare.


Contact us by sending a message