Parathyroid lipoadenoma: case report and review of the literature

Parathyroid lipoadenoma is a rare variant of parathyroid adenoma showing intermingling of chief/ oxyphil cells with abundant mature adipose cells, the latter comprising 20-90% of the tumour. Approximately thirty-five cases have been reported previously. We report a case of 41-year old woman who presented with clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism. She had elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Radiological investigations suggested presence of adenoma. Intra-operatively, parathyroid adenoma was found in the neck in an ectopic location behind the carotid sheath and extending into the superior mediastinum. Clinicopathological findings of this rare tumour are discussed.