Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma: A Rare Mediastinal Tumor

Primary hyperparathyroidism is generally due to a solitary parathyroid adenoma and among those adenomas, 1% have been reported to have an ectopic mediastinal location. In the diagnosis of ectopic parathyroid adenoma, technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy is an imaging method with a sensitivity of approximately 100%; however, in preoperative localization of the tumor, it should be evaluated together with magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography images. In general, the treatment necessitates a cervical approach that may require a sternotomy, though rarely, an anterolateral thoracotomy is warranted. Recently, especially in visceral tumors, an effective and comfortable treatment option has been defined with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The aim of this article was to report the successful excision of a mediastinal parathyroid adenoma with a lateral thoracotomic approach that was localized with Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging in a patient with ongoing clinical and laboratory findings of HPT after the first operation, in which a general surgical team performed a total thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. The patient is still in follow-up with L-thyroxine, calcium, and vitamin D replacement treatment.