An ectopic parathyroid gland in the left axillary region: case report

This is a review of ectopic localizations of the parathyroid gland in one case. A hard mobile mass (2 x 2.5 cm) was detected on the right side of the neck of a patient who had previously been given a diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism. Computed tomography showed an adenoma (25 x 35 mm) in the paratracheal region on the right side of the neck. Scintigraphy revealed an activity increase on the right side of the neck and in the left axillary region. Blood measurements were as follows: Ca, 12.7 mEq/l; parathyroid hormone (PTH), 235 U/l; and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 776 U/l. The patient was operated on to remove the lesions located in the cervical and left axillary regions. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion in the right cervical region was a parathyroid adenoma, whereas the lesion in the left axillary region was normal parathyroid gland tissue. Parathyroid glands may indicate ectopic locations in very different regions. We think the case presented here is the first case with this axillary location. Scintigraphy, alone or combined with other methods, may be used to determine ectopic localizations.