Traumatic rupture of a cervical parathyroid adenoma.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous rupture of a hyperplastic parathyroid gland or adenoma resulting in extracapsular hemorrhage is extremely rare.


METHODS
We report a case of traumatic rupture of a cervical parathyroid gland adenoma.


RESULTS
The patient had progressive stridor, neck swelling, and chest and back pain with evidence of ongoing blood loss resulting in airway compromise. Exploration of the neck and superior mediastinum revealed hypercellular parathyroid tissue consistent with adenoma or hyperplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic rupture of an enlarged parathyroid gland is a distinct and potentially lethal cause of unexplained cervical or mediastinal hemorrhage after blunt neck trauma. Failure to consider the diagnosis may result in delayed operative intervention with persistent hemorrhage resulting in airway compromise.
Shanley
C J
CJ
Division of Trauma, Burn, and Emergency Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0033.
Overbeck
M C
MC
Mazzara
P
P
McLeod
M K
MK
Thompson
N W
NW
Rodriguez
J L
JL
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000293:injuries*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*