The Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration PTH Testing in Differentiating Thyroid and Parathyroid Lesions

Accurate diagnosis of endocrine gland lesions in the neck is essential for formulating appropriate surgical plans. However, thyroid nodules and parathyroid adenomas exhibit significant overlap in imaging features, making morphological diagnosis alone prone to misdiagnosis. This study examines the clinical value and pathophysiological basis of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of parathyroid hormone (FNA-PTH) in distinguishing the tissue origin of suspicious neck nodules. By analyzing the functional characteristics of parathyroid lesions, we elucidate how FNA-PTH testing overcomes the limitations of traditional cytological morphology, shifting from anatomical localization to functional characterization. The paper examines the standardized operating procedures for this technique, the determination of diagnostic thresholds, and the enhanced performance when combined with cytology. It also analyzes its application in complex clinical scenarios such as ectopic parathyroid glands within the thyroid and postoperative recurrence of hyperparathyroidism.