Parathyroid cyst: a rare case report

Abstract

Parathyroid cysts are rare lesions arising in the neck and anterior mediastinum. Fewer than 250 cases have been pub lished in the literature. Parathyroid cysts constitute only 0.6% of all thyroid and parathyroid lesions, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anterior neck masses, particularly in the presence of hypercalcaemia.

Large Functional Parathyroid Cyst–Unusual Neck Mass: A Case Report

“…5 Often, the nonfunctioning cysts arise from the inferior parathyroid, and 60% are on the left side, whereas the functioning cysts can be located anywhere from the angle of the mandible to the mediastinum. 6 Nonfunctional cysts were common in females, 3 while the functional were more common in men. 4…”

“…5 Very few cases have been reported in the literature. 6 Around 80% of parathyroid cysts are solitary and nonfunctional, and present as asymptomatic neck swellings. 7 Functional cysts account for 10-15% of cases and are more often seen in older patients, usually in the fourth to fifth decade, and are more commonly seen in women (M:F -1:1.85).…”

“…8 The aspirate from the parathyroid cyst typically is clear, colorless fluid, with elevated PTH levels in cyst fluid, whereas thyroid cysts usually contain fluid that is amber, hemorrhagic, or brown with elevated thyroid hormone levels. 6 Increased level of PTH hormone in the cyst fluid does not determine the functionality of the cysts, as both functioning and nonfunctioning cysts have high levels of PTH hormone in the aspirate. 8 It has been proposed to measure c-terminal PTH from cystic fluid rather than intact PTH as nonfunctioning cysts produce large quantities of PTH, which gets degraded into the C-terminal peptide, which is biologically inactive.…”

“…4 Small and asymptomatic cysts can be observed without any intervention. 6 Injections of sclerosing agents such as tetracycline are no longer recommended due to serious complications such as extracapsular leak, leading to fiber degeneration or injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, resulting in vocal cord paralysis. 1 Fine-needle aspiration is considered the treatment of choice for nonfunctional cysts as it causes regression of cysts.…”

Small nonfunctional parathyroid cysts: single institution experience

“…All four nonfunctional PCs were detected in female patients, mean age 56 (range 44-76) years. According to literature data, PCs are most commonly diagnosed in the fourth and fifth decades of life [15]. PCs are mostly solitary and unilocular, more frequently found under lower thyroid lobes on the left [16].…”