Primary Hyperparathyroidism: 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT vs. 4D-CT for Parathyroid Identification: Toward a Comprehensive Diagnostic Framework—An Updated Review and Recommendations
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results
3.1. FCH-PET
3.2. 4D-CT
3.3. Comparative Studies of Diagnostic Performances
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Bilezikian, J.P.; Bandeira, L.; Khan, A.; Cusano, N.E. Hyperparathyroidism. Lancet 2018, 391, 168–178. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gasparri, G. Updates in Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Updates Surg. 2017, 69, 217–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gurrado, A.; Pasculli, A.; Avenia, N.; Bellantone, R.; Boniardi, M.; Merante Boschin, I.; Calò, P.G.; Camandona, M.; Cavallaro, G.; Cianchi, F.; et al. Parathyroid Retrospective Analysis of Neoplasms Incidence (pTRANI Study): An Italian Multicenter Study on Parathyroid Carcinoma and Atypical Parathyroid Tumour. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 6297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Erickson, L.A.; Mete, O.; Juhlin, C.C.; Perren, A.; Gill, A.J. Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Parathyroid Tumors. Endocr. Pathol. 2022, 33, 64–89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Del Rio, P.; Boniardi, M.; De Pasquale, L.; Docimo, G.; Iacobone, M.; Materazzi, G.; Medas, F.; Minuto, M.; Mullineris, B.; Polistena, A.; et al. Management of surgical diseases of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Indications of the United Italian Society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC). Updates Surg. 2024, 76, 743–755. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ovčariček, P.P.; Giovanella, L.; Hindie, E.; Huellner, M.W.; Talbot, J.-N.; Verburg, F.A. An essential practice summary of the new EANM guidelines for parathyroid imaging. Q. J. Nucl. Med. Mol. Imaging 2022, 66, 93–103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hindié, E.; Schwartz, P.; Avram, A.M.; Imperiale, A.; Sebag, F.; Taïeb, D. Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Defining the Appropriate Preoperative Imaging Algorithm. J. Nucl. Med. 2021, 62 (Suppl. S2), 3S–12S. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cazaentre, T.; Clivaz, F.; Triponez, F. False-Positive Result in 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT Due to Incidental and Ectopic Parathyroid Hyperplasia. Clin. Nucl. Med. 2014, 39, e328–e330. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Goren, S.; Paladino, N.C.; Laks, S.; Cuny, T.; Vaillant-Lombard, J.; Mennetrey, C.; Assaf, D.; Hindié, E.; Guerin, C.; Fargette, C.; et al. Diagnostic Rechallenge with 18F-FCH PET/CT Often Allows Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy While Maintaining Exceptional Cure Rates. World J. Surg. 2022, 46, 2409–2415. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jarabek, L.; Jamsek, J.; Cuderman, A.; Rep, S.; Hocevar, M.; Kocjan, T.; Jensterle, M.; Spiclin, Z.; Lezaic, Z.M.; Cvetko, F.; et al. Detection and localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands on [18F]fluorocholine PET/ CT using deep learning—model performance and comparison to human experts. Radiol. Oncol. 2022, 56, 440–452. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Michaud, L.; Balogova, S.; Burgess, A.; Ohnona, J.; Huchet, V.; Kerrou, K.; Lefèvre, M.; Tassart, M.; Montravers, F.; Périé, S.; et al. A Pilot Comparison of 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT, Ultrasonography and 123I/99mTc-sestaMIBI Dual-Phase Dual-Isotope Scintigraphy in the Preoperative Localization of Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Glands in Primary or Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. Influence of Thyroid Anomalies. Medicine 2015, 94, e1701. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zajíčková, K.; Zogala, D.; Kubinyi, J. Parathyroid Imaging by 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Inconclusive Conventional Methods: Clinico-Pathological Correlations. J. Physiol. Res. 2018, 67 (Suppl. S3), S551–S557. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Quak, E.; Blanchard, D.; Houdu, B.; Le Roux, Y.; Ciappuccini, R.; Lireux, B.; de Raucourt, D.; Grellard, J.-M.; Licaj, I.; Bardet, S.; et al. F18-choline PET/CT guided surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism when ultrasound and MIBI SPECT/CT are negative or inconclusive: The APACH1 study. Eur. J. Nucl. Med. Mol. Imaging 2018, 45, 658–666. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fischli, S.; Suter-Widmer, I.; Nguyen, B.T.; Müller, W.; Metzger, J.; Strobel, K.; Grünig, H.; Henzen, C. The Significance of 18F-Fluorocholine-PET/CT as Localizing Imaging Technique in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Negative Conventional Imaging. Front. Endocrinol. 2018, 22, 380. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Broos, W.A.M.; Wondergem, M.; Knol, R.J.J.; van der Zant, F.M. Parathyroid imaging with 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT as a first-line imaging modality in primary hyperparathyroidism: A retrospective cohort study. EJNMMI Res. 2019, 9, 72. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Xue, Y.; Li, W.; Xia, Z.; Lei, C.; Cao, Y.; Wang, Z.; Pang, H. The role of 18F-FCH PET/CT in patients with uremic hyperparathyroidism compared with 99mTc-sestaMIBI SPECT/CT and ultrasonography. EJNMMI Res. 2019, 9, 118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kluijfhout, W.P.; Vorselaars, W.M.; van den Berk, S.A.; Vriens, M.R.; Borel Rinkes, I.H.; Valk, G.D. Fluorine-18 fluorocholine PET-CT localizes hyperparathyroidism in patients with inconclusive conventional imaging: A multicenter study from the Netherlands. Nucl. Med. Commun. 2016, 37, 1246–1252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Evangelista, L.; Ravelli, I.; Magnani, F.; Iacobone, M.; Giraudo, C.; Camozzi, V.; Spimpolo, A.; Cecchin, D. 18F-choline PET/CT and PET/MRI in primary and recurrent hyperparathyroidism: A systematic review of the literature. Ann. Nucl. Med. 2020, 34, 601–619. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dudoignon, D.; Delbot, T.; Cottereau, A.S.; Dechmi, A.; Bienvenu, M.; Koumakis, E.; Cormier, C.; Gaujoux, S.; Groussin, L.; Cochand-Priollet, B.; et al. 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT and conventional imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism. Diagn. Interv. Imaging 2022, 103, 258–265. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mazurek, A.; Dziuk, M.; Witkowska-Patena, E.; Chudzinski, W.; Piszczek, S.; Gizewska, A.; Saracyn, M. The utility of 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT in the imaging of parathyroid adenomas. Endokrynol. Pol. 2022, 73, 43–48. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dekorsy, F.J.; Beyer, L.; Spitzweg, C.; Schmidmaier, R.; Todica, A.; Trupka, A.; Cyran, C.C.; Berger, F.; Ladurner, R.; Zimmermann, P.; et al. Preoperative Imaging with [18F]-Fluorocholine PET/CT in Primary Hyperparathyroidism. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 2944. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Van den Bruel, A.; Bijnens, J.; Van Haecke, H.; Vander Poorten, V.; Dick, C.; Vauterin, T.; De Geeter, F. Preoperative imaging for hyperparathyroidism often takes upper parathyroid adenomas for lower adenomas. Sci. Rep. 2023, 13, 7568. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Wolf, H.W.; Nebiker, C.A. Preoperative identification of small parathyroid adenomas—Better done by fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Gland. Surg. 2023, 12, 1686–1695. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Quak, E.; Lasne-Cardon, A.; Cavarec, M.; Lireux, B.; Bastit, V.; Roudaut, N.; Salaun, P.-Y.; Keromnes, N.; Potard, G.; Vaduva, P.; et al. F18-Choline PET/CT or MIBI SPECT/CT in the Surgical Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Diagnostic Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2024, 150, 658–665. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Christensen, J.W.; Ismail, A.; Søndergaard, S.B.; Bennedbæk, F.N.; Nygaard, B.; Jensen, L.T.; Trolle, W.; Holst-Hahn, C.; Zerahn, B.; Kristensen, B.; et al. Preoperative imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism: Are 11C-Choline PET/CT and 99mTc-MIBI/123Iodide subtraction SPECT/CT interchangeable or do they supplement each other? Clin. Endocrinol. 2022, 97, 258–267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Quak, E.; Lasne Cardon, A.; Ciappuccini, R.; Lasnon, C.; Bastit, V.; Le Henaff, V.; Lireux, B.; Foucras, G.; Jaudet, C.; Berchi, C.; et al. Upfront F18-choline PET/CT versus Tc99m-sestaMIBI SPECT/CT guided surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism: The randomized phase III diagnostic trial APACH2. BMC Endocr. Disord. 2021, 21, 3. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Manyalich-Blasi, M.; Domínguez-Garijo, P.; Saavedra-Pérez, D.; Sánchez-Izquierdo, N.; Casanueva Eliceiry, S.; Perissinotti, A.; Porta, M.M.; de Hollanda, A.; Hanzu, F.A.; Serrat, M.A.L.-B.; et al. Comparison of [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT with [99mTc]sestamibi and ultrasonography to detect parathyroid lesions in primary hyperparathyroidism: A prospective study. Gland. Surg. 2022, 11, 1764–1771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ramalho, D.; Rocha, G.; Oliveira, J.M.; Oliveira, M.J. Fluorine-18 Fluorocholine Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Cureus 2022, 14, e21958. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Seyedinia, S.S.; Mirshahvalad, S.A.; Schweighofer-Zwink, G.; Hehenwarter, L.; Rendl, G.; Pirich, C.; Beheshti, M. Evolving Role of [18F]Flurocholine PET/CT in Assessing Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Can It Be Considered the First-Line Functional Imaging Approach? J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 812. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Imperiale, A.; Bani, J.; Bottoni, G.; Latgé, A.; Heimburger, C.; Catrambone, U.; Vix, M.; Treglia, G.; Piccardo, A. Does 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT add value to positive parathyroid scintigraphy in the presurgical assessment of primary hyperparathyroidism? Front. Med. 2023, 10, 1148287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Taywade, S.K.; Damle, N.A.; Behera, A.; Devasenathipathy, K.; Bal, C.; Tripathi, M.; Agarwa, S.; Tandon, N.; Chumber, S.; Seenu, V. Comparison of 18F-Fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography and four-dimensional computed tomography in the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas-initial results. Indian J. Endocr. Metab. 2017, 21, 399–403. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rodgers, S.E.; Hunter, G.J.; Hamberg, L.M.; Schellingerhout, D.; Doherty, D.B.; Ayers, G.D.; Shapiro, S.E.; Edeiken, B.S.; Truong, M.T.; Evans, D.B.; et al. Improved preoperative planning for directed parathyroidectomy with 4-dimensional computed tomography. Surgery 2006, 140, 932–941. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cheung, K.; Wang, T.S.; Farrokhyar, F.; Roman, S.A.; Sosa, J.A. A Meta-analysis of Preoperative Localization Techniques for Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2012, 19, 577–583. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Abbott, D.E.; Cantor, S.B.; Grubbs, E.G.; Santora, R.; Gomez, H.F.; Evans, D.B.; Lee, J.E.; Vu, T.; Perrier, N.D. Outcomes and economic analysis of routine preoperative 4-dimensional CT for surgical intervention in de novo primary hyperparathyroidism: Does clinical benefit justify the cost? J. Am. Coll. Surg. 2012, 214, 629–637. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lundstroem, A.K.; Trolle, W.; Soerensen, C.H.; Myschetzky, P.S. Preoperative localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands with 4D-CT. Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2016, 273, 1253–1259. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Al-Difaie, Z.; Scheepers, M.H.M.C.; Engelen, S.M.E.; Havekes, B.; Bouvy, N.D.; Postma, A.A. Diagnostic Value of Four- Dimensional Dynamic Computed Tomography for Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients with Low Baseline Parathyroid Hormone Levels. Diagnostics 2023, 13, 2621. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hairston, H.; Gardner, J.R.; Gibson, A.C.; Wright, C.; Small, M.; King, D.; Fitzgerald, R.; Spencer, H.J.; Bodenner, D.L. Four-dimensional computed tomography and ultrasonography for prediction of pathological parathyroid location: A retrospective review of a single surgeon’s patients at a single institution. Gland. Surg. 2024, 13, 1459–1468. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Battistella, E.; Pomba, L.; Toniato, R.; Burei, M.; Gregianin, M.; Watutantrige Fernando Toniato, A. Evolution of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 2057. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Kaseb, A.; Benider, H.; Treglia, G.; Cusumano, C.; Bessac, D.; Trimboli, P.; Vix, M.; Piccardo, A.; Latgé, A.; Imperiale, A. Refining the role of presurgical PET/4D-CT in a large series of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing [18F] Fluorocholine PET/CT. Eur. J. Clin. Investig. 2025, 55, e14336. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bátora, D.; Iskandar, R.; Gertsch, J.; Kaderli, R.M. Impact of perioperative diagnostic tools on clinical outcomes and cost- effectiveness in parathyroid surgery: A decision model-based analysis. BMJ Open 2024, 14, e082901. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Park, H.S.; Hong, N.; Jeong, J.J.; Yun, M.; Rhee, Y. Update on Preoperative Parathyroid Localization in Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Endocrinol. Metab. 2022, 37, 744–755. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Paladino, N.C.; Taïeb, D.; Sebag, F. Parathyroid Imaging. In Endocrine Surgery: Clinical Diagnosis and Management; McGraw Hill/Medical: Columbus, OH, USA, 2025. [Google Scholar]
- Al-Salameh, A.; Haissaguerre, M.; Tresallet, C.; Kuczma, P.; Marciniak, C.; Cardot-Bauters, C. Chapter 6: Syndromic primary hyperparathyroidism. Ann. Endocrinol. 2025, 86, 101695. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gheorghe, A.-M.; Nistor, C.; Florescu, A.-F.; Carsote, M. An Analysis of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Individuals Diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2. Diseases 2025, 13, 98. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Schubert, L.; Gaillard, M.; Melot, C.; Delbot, T.; Cottereau, A.S.; Koumakis, E.; Bonnet-Serrano, F.; Groussin, L. Management of primary hyperparathyroidism in MEN1: From initial subtotal surgery to complex treatment of the remaining gland. Ann. Endocrinol. 2025, 86, 101721. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Study | Year | N° Patients | Sensitivity PET/CT (%) | Sensitivity 4D-CT (%) | Main Conclusion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbott [34] | 2012 | 535 | - | - | 4D-CT improves localization and reduces bilateral explorations but increases costs. |
Michaud [11] | 2015 | 17 | 94 | - | FCH-PET is superior to US and SPECT for pHPT localization. |
Lundstroem [35] | 2016 | 43 | - | 76 | 4D-CT is effective in patients with negative sestamibi scans. |
Taywade [31] | 2017 | 5 | 100 | 100 | FCH-PET and 4D-CT show perfect concordance in adenoma localization. |
Quak [13] | 2018 | 25 | 91.3 | - | FCH-PET is effective in cases with negative conventional imaging. |
Zajickova [12] | 2018 | 13 | 92 | - | FCH-PET is useful for small glands and multiple adenomas. |
Fischli [14] | 2018 | 23 | 95.5 | - | FCH-PET is highly accurate when other imaging is negative/equivocal. |
Kluijfhout [17] | 2019 | 44 | 94.3 | - | PET/CT is beneficial after inconclusive conventional imaging. |
Broos [15] | 2019 | 271 | 96 | - | FCH-PET shows a high detection rate and may be first-line imaging. |
Xue [16] | 2019 | 17 | 84.1 | - | FCH-PET is more sensitive than SPECT and US in uremic hyperparathyroidism. |
Mazurek [20] | 2021 | 65 | 100 | - | FCH-PET has 100% sensitivity in preoperative localization. |
Dudoignon [19] | 2022 | 51 | 76 | - | FCH-PET is more accurate than conventional imaging and useful for complex cases. |
Dekorsky [21] | 2022 | 33 | 72.7 | - | FCH-PET is effective in cases where conventional imaging was negative. |
Manyalich-Blasi [27] | 2022 | 37 | 92.1 | - | FCH-PET is superior to US and SPECT. |
Al-Difaie [36] | 2023 | 60 | - | 88 | 4D-CT maintains high sensitivity even in patients with low PTH levels. |
Goren [9] | 2023 | 72 | 92.7 | - | FCH-PET facilitates minimally invasive surgery with high cure rates. |
Seydinia [29] | 2023 | 321 | 99 | - | Large retrospective study confirming FCH-PET as first-line functional imaging. |
Van den Bruel [22] | 2023 | 104 | 78.8 | - | FCH-PET improves localization precision for superior vs. inferior adenomas. |
Wolf [23] | 2023 | 147 | 90 | - | FCH-PET is superior in detecting small adenomas; useful as second-line imaging. |
Battistella [38] | 2023 | 296 | 99 | 86 | FCH-PET is superior in selected cases with a sensitivity of 99%. |
Hairston [37] | 2024 | 437 | - | 81.2 | 4D-CT is superior to US for lateralization but both are useful. |
Quak [24] | 2024 | 57 | 82 | - | Randomized trial shows FCH-PET superior to MIBI SPECT/CT for first-line use. |
Kaseb [39] | 2024 | 166 | 83 | 53 | FCH-PET is superior, but adding 4D-CT improves accuracy in inconclusive cases. |
Batora [40] | 2024 | 5000 | 92 | 82 | Decision-model analysis. 4D-CT is cost-effective; FCH-PET is more accurate but less cost-effective. |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Scerrino, G.; Paladino, N.C.; Graceffa, G.; Melfa, G.; Orlando, G.; Di Vuolo, R.; Lo Cicero, C.; Murabito, A.; Radellini, S.; Richiusa, P.; et al. Primary Hyperparathyroidism: 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT vs. 4D-CT for Parathyroid Identification: Toward a Comprehensive Diagnostic Framework—An Updated Review and Recommendations. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 5468. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155468
Scerrino G, Paladino NC, Graceffa G, Melfa G, Orlando G, Di Vuolo R, Lo Cicero C, Murabito A, Radellini S, Richiusa P, et al. Primary Hyperparathyroidism: 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT vs. 4D-CT for Parathyroid Identification: Toward a Comprehensive Diagnostic Framework—An Updated Review and Recommendations. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(15):5468. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155468
Chicago/Turabian StyleScerrino, Gregorio, Nunzia Cinzia Paladino, Giuseppa Graceffa, Giuseppina Melfa, Giuseppina Orlando, Renato Di Vuolo, Chiara Lo Cicero, Alessandra Murabito, Stefano Radellini, Pierina Richiusa, and et al. 2025. "Primary Hyperparathyroidism: 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT vs. 4D-CT for Parathyroid Identification: Toward a Comprehensive Diagnostic Framework—An Updated Review and Recommendations" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 15: 5468. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155468
APA StyleScerrino, G., Paladino, N. C., Graceffa, G., Melfa, G., Orlando, G., Di Vuolo, R., Lo Cicero, C., Murabito, A., Radellini, S., Richiusa, P., & Lo Casto, A. (2025). Primary Hyperparathyroidism: 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT vs. 4D-CT for Parathyroid Identification: Toward a Comprehensive Diagnostic Framework—An Updated Review and Recommendations. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(15), 5468. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155468