Observational studyFrontiers in endocrinology2025
Ultrasound detection of normal parathyroid glands: detection rate, topographic anatomy, and the role of underlying thyroid disease.
Observational study in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Ultrasound combined with serum parathyroid hormone for assessing autologous parathyroid graft viability after endoscopic thyroidectomy: a retrospective study.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Visualizing normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) using ultrasound (US) has historically been challenging. This study aims to assess the detection rate of normal PTGs in thyroid patients and evaluate their echostructure, anatomical location and their relation with the underlying thyroid pathology. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted over four weeks (September-October 2024) at the Thyroid Unit of Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC). Consecutive thyroid patients undergoing US for any thyroid indication were included, while those with a history of parathyroid disease, chronic kidney disease, or recent thyroid surgery were excluded. The primary outcome was the detection rate of normal PTGs. Secondary outcomes included PTG echostructure, anatomical location, and correlations with patient characteristics (age, gender, BMI, thyroid volume, and underlying thyroid pathology). Results: Normal PTGs were identified in 45.1% of patients (n=51). Most PTGs were located near the lower pole of the thyroid lobes and appeared mildly hyperechoic. Thyroid volume was inversely associated with PTG detection (p=0.001), while underlying thyroid pathology (e.g., thyroiditis, nodular disease) had no significant impact on detection rates. Conclusion: Normal PTGs can be visualized using US, particularly near the lower thyroid poles. Detection rates decrease in patients with larger thyroid volumes or athyreotic status. These findings confirm and expand on recent studies, challenging the historical belief that normal PTGs are undetectable, with potential implications for endocrine imaging and surgical planning.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.