title: Mediastinal parathyroid cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience with mediastinal parathyroid cysts and summarize previously reported cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed medical records and reviewed the pertinent literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical, operative, and pathologic findings in 7 cases of mediastinal parathyroid cysts encountered at one institution and 31 cases previously reported in the literature are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rarely, cysts may arise from an aberrant mediastinal parathyroid gland. Such cysts may manifest as a symptomatic mass, as an asymptomatic finding on roentgenography, or during the assessment of a patient with hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis may be made by fine-needle aspiration or by excision and pathologic examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functioning parathyroid cysts represent degeneration of a hyperfunctioning gland, such as an adenoma, and are usually removed through a cervical approach. Nonfunctioning cysts in asymptomatic patients with normal serum calcium levels are considered indeterminate and should be managed accordingly. Excision is usually recommended.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cerfolio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Pairolero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010279:Parathyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies