Parathyroid adenomas may be identified using optical probes which distinguish the diseased tissue from adjacent healthy tissue. Spectroscopic properties of the tissue may be used to distinguish healthy from diseased tissue. Traditional surgery to remove the parathyroid adenoma may be avoided by using techniques to occlude the blood supply to the diseased tissue. Occlusion may be accomplished by applying energy to the blood vessel such as with radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy or laser energy. Cryogenic probes may also be used to occlude the blood flow. Clips, sutures or other mechanical mechanisms may also be used to occlude the flow, thereby destroying the diseased tissue.
