Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma removal by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Ectopic parathyroid adenomas in the mediastinum are rare causes of primary hyperparathyroidism. We report two cases of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Functioning parathyroid lesion was localized with the help of nuclear single-photon emission computed tomography scan in both the patients. Video assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) removal of the parathyroid lesions were done. Intraoperative confirmation of parathyroid adenoma was done by frozen section. Further confirmation was done by routine histopathological examination of specimen postoperatively. One patient had left vocal cord paralysis postoperatively. Localization by functional imaging is essential. Minimally invasive methods such as VATS are useful in removing mediastinal parathyroid hyperfunctioning lesions, which carries early postoperative recovery and less complications.