Korean Journal of Endocrine Surgery  2005;5(2):121-125

doi:10.16956/kjes.2005.5.2.121

Functional Parathyroid Cyst: A case report.

Seong Rae KIM 1 ; Jong Ho YOON ; Seong Jin CHO ; Chan Heun PARK

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Functional parathyroid cyst; Hypercalcemia; Intact parathyroid hormone

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Parathyroid cysts are uncommon lesions of the neck and superior mediastinum, rarely large enough to be of clinical significance. They frequently present as a clinical diagnostic problem. They may mimic solitary thyroid nodule. They can be classified as either functioning or non-functioning depending on whether or not they are associated with hypercalcemia. Non-functioning or “true” cysts are those associated with normocalcemia (85%), whereas functioning or “pseudocysts” are those associated with hypercalcemia (15%). The presence of a high content of intact parathyroid hormone (intact PTH) in the cystic fluid on fine-needle aspiration (FNA), in conjunction with an elevated serum calcium and intact PTH is diagnostic of a functional parathyroid cyst. A functional parathyroid cyst usually requires surgical removal. We report herein one case of functional parathyroid cyst.