title: Parathyroid cyst of the thymus.
abstract: A case is described of primary hyperparathyroidism in a patient with both a parathyroid cyst within the thymus gland and a concomitant parathyroid adenoma. The parathyroid adenoma contained microcystic areas of degeneration, and it is thought that the parathyroid cyst reflected degenerative change in a pre-existing adenoma. Parathyroid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions within the thymus. Fine needle aspiration and parathyroid hormone assay on cyst fluid may provide a preoperative diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: McCluggage
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Toner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000473:pathology*; D010280:Parathyroid Glands; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology*