[Primary hyperparathyroidism. Round calcification as a sign of cervico-mediastinal localization of a parathyroid adenoma]

Abstract

The authors report the case of a man aged 59 years, with primary hyperparathyroidism; removal of a first adenoma, did not lead to recovery. Later, an egg-shell calcification was found together with a second large cervico-mediastinal parathyroid adenoma, the removal of which caused all the symptoms to disappear. After a review of other cases in the world literature with calcification of the parathyroid glands, the authors consider, before using more complicated techniques for preoperative localisation of parathyroid adenomas, one should carry out careful radiological examination of the cervical and mediastinal region. Under these conditions, one may detect significant calcifications which have escaped routine examination and may contribute to the topographic diagnosis of the parathyroid lesion sought.