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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
07:12
Establishment of a Simple and Effective Rat Model for Intraoperative Parathyroid Gland Imaging
Published on: August 17, 2022
Hyperparathyroidism with a functioning parathyroid cyst.
Ilknur Ak1, Mustafa Fuat Acikalin
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. ilknur_ak@yahoo.com
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|August 22, 2007
Summary
A rare functioning parathyroid cyst caused primary hyperparathyroidism, evading detection by Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy. Surgical removal normalized parathyroid hormone levels, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Primary hyperparathyroidism is often caused by parathyroid adenomas.
- Technetium-99m sestamibi (Tc-99m MIBI) scintigraphy is a common imaging modality for localizing parathyroid tumors.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman presented with severe primary hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone 2250 pg/mL).
- Neck ultrasonography identified a cystic lesion near the thyroid gland.
- Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy failed to detect the source of hyperparathyroidism.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the cystic lesion was performed.
- Pathologic examination confirmed a benign parathyroid cyst lined by cuboidal epithelial cells.
- Postoperative normalization of intact parathyroid hormone levels was observed.
Implications:
- Functioning parathyroid cysts can present as a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy may not detect all functioning parathyroid lesions, necessitating alternative diagnostic approaches.
- Surgical removal is an effective treatment for symptomatic parathyroid cysts.
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