An Unusual Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Case Report of a Bifocal Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Carcinoma

Ear Nose Throat J. 2023 Jan;102(1):NP5-NP7. doi: 10.1177/0145561320977466. Epub 2020 Dec 28.

Abstract

Intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. We reported a 51-year old woman who presented symptoms of hypercalcemia. 99mTc sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (CT) revealed a large hypermetabolic nodule in the left thyroid lobe suggestive of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. 11C-methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT confirmed the nodule in the left thyroid lobe and also revealed a hypermetabolic activity on the posterior surface of the lower left pole. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, and a diagnosis of bifocal intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma was confirmed. We present the first reported case of bifocal intrathyroidal carcinoma and discuss the discordant imaging results.

Keywords: intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma; parathyroid carcinoma; primary hyperparathyroidism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* / etiology
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms* / complications
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography