Abstract

AGOSTINIS, C et al. Hyperparathyroidism due to mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Rev. argent. endocrinol. metab. [online]. 2012, vol.49, n.1, pp.25-27. ISSN 1851-3034.

The parathyroid glands are located in the neck, on the back of the thyroid gland. Their function is to secrete PTH, which is regulated by extracellular calcium concentration. Hyperparathyroidism is defined as the excessive production of PTH by the parathyroid glands; approximately 85 % of the cases are caused by an adenoma, 12 % due to hyperplasia and less than 1 % by carcinomas. Ectopic Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs in 10 % of the patients, of which from 1 to 2 % are of mediastinal location⁽¹⁾. We report the case of a 38-year-old patient hospitalized in our institution for symptomatic hypercalcemia. During her hospitalization elevated plasma levéis of PTH were found with image MIBI technetium 99 high uptake in the anterior mediastinum. She underwent surgery, and the pathology report showed parathyroid adenoma.

Keywords : Primary hyperparathyroidism; Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma.