Summary: | Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands that regulate calcium metabolism by producing
parathyroid hormone (PTH). These are located at the back of the thyroid gland. Typically, four
glands comprise the parathyroid glands, although their numbers may vary among individuals.
Parathyroid diseases are related to parathyroid gland dysfunction and can be caused by problems
with the parathyroid gland itself or abnormal serum calcium levels arising from renal disease.
In recent years, as comprehensive health checkups have become more common, abnormal
serum calcium levels are often found incidentally in blood tests, after which several
additional tests, including a PTH test, ultrasonography (US), technetium-99m sestamibi parathyroid
scan, single-photon-emission CT (SPECT)/CT, four-dimensional CT (4D-CT), and PET/CT,
are performed for further evaluation. However, the parathyroid gland remains an organ less familiar
to radiologists. Therefore, the normal anatomy, pathophysiology, imaging, and clinical
findings of the parathyroid gland and its associated diseases are discussed here.
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