The aim of this study was to assess the role of color and spectral
Doppler ultrasound (CDU) in the evaluation of enlarged
parathyroid glands in
hemodialysis patients with
secondary hyperparathyroidism. Fourteen
hemodialysis patients with elevated intact
parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were evaluated prospectively with CDU. The volume of each observed
parathyroid gland and the spectral CDU data (velocities, resistance and pulsatility indices, systolic to
diastolic ratio, and
flow volume output (FVO)) were noted. The biochemical data (iPTH,
calcium,
phosphate levels), and CDU results were analyzed with the
Spearman correlation test. Two patients were excluded, and 27 enlarged
parathyroid glands were observed in 12 patients. The
mean total volume of enlarged
parathyroid glands per patient was 1.95 cm(3) (0.06-5.5 cm(3)).
Arterial supply was demonstrated in 78% (21/27) of enlarged
parathyroid glands.
Mean total FVO of enlarged
glands per patient was 238.5 ml/min (620-0 ml/min) and
mean iPTH level was 1,477 pg/ml (643-3,132 pg/ml). The
positive correlations of total volume (p = 0.022), iPTH (p = 0.024), and FVO (p = 0.022) were
statistically significant. In
secondary hyperparathyroidism, total volume of the visualized enlarged
parathyroid glands and the total of FVOs per patient are positively
correlated with iPTH levels which may help clinical management and follow-up of
end-stage renal disease patients.
