A parathyroid scan is used to examine how your parathyroid glands are working.  It can show conditions that are not seen using other tests or scans.

In particular, it can detect parathyroid glands that are working too hard.  It can also identify parathyroid tissue away from its normal location in the neck.

Click here to see a larger image of a Parathyroid scan

This test is in two parts performed on the same day.

On your first visit, we will give you an injection in your arm.  The injection will contain a small amount of radioactive tracer.

We will then ask you to wait just under 2 hours for the chemical to be taken up.  During this time you are free to stay in or to leave the hospital.

On the second visit, we will give you a second injection containing a different tracer.

You will then lie down on a bed.  We will then take some pictures with a gamma camera.  For some of the pictures we will place a cone attachment onto the camera.  We will place the narrow end of the cone against your neck.

The second visit will take about 1 hour.

No undressing is required and you may eat normally beforehand.

There are usually four of them, found in the neck. They are usually 1 cm long, though may get larger if they are working harder than they should.

To see general information about Nuclear Medicine scans, including pictures of a gamma camera, press the button below.