The Anatomic Basis of Parathyroid Venous Sampling

Films of 24 selective inferior thyroid arteriographies in 17 patients with hypercalcemic problems were reviewed. In 8 only 1 inferior thyroid artery was injected. In 6 selective retrograde thyroid venography was also performed and correlated with the venographic phase of arteriography. Analysis has demonstrated that in 17 of 20 satisfactorily opacified venous phases, venous effluent from this area is predominantly downward via ipsilateral inferior thyroid veins into the left innominate vein. High flow rates and streaming make the interpretation of high parathyroid hormone concentrations in the innominate veins difficult.