Parathyroid cysts

Abstract

From a review of the world literature, 91 cases of parathyroid cysts have been identified. The majority present as asymptomatic lumps in the lower part of the neck to the right or, more frequently, the left of the midline and are diagnosed as thyroid nodules before surgery. The 4 cases discussed in this article were all derived from the left lower parathyroid gland or left upper pole of the thymus. Three are the largest on record, 2 of which produced pressure symptoms and one, scabbarding of the trachea.

Parathyroid cysts

“…[ 17 – 22 ] PCs more frequently appear in fourth and sixth decades. [ 19 , 21 – 24 ] PCs can be subdivided into 2 main categories: functioning and nonfunctioning, regarding their hormone producing activity. [ 25 – 28 ] Functioning cysts count for 20% of PCs, as they were found in 0.3% to 3% of parathyroid glands removed due to hyperparathyroidism.…”

“…Compressive symptoms such as dysphagia, odynophagia, dyspnea, asthma, stridor, hoarseness, vein thrombosis, cough, vomiting, choking sensation are caused by displacement of the adjacent structures. [ 5 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 26 , 38 , 51 , 58 , 95 – 113 ] Furthermore, there are references of vocal cord paralysis due to compression of PCs. [ 20 , 114 – 117 ]…”