title: Thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: a report of two cases and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most abnormal parathyroid glands can be removed through a standard cervical incision; even those in the superior mediastinum. Those located in certain areas of the mediastinum, for example posteriorly or in the aortopulmonic window, historically have required excision through a median sternotomy or thoracotomy. Angioablation is a nonsurgical alternative to management of these lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present two case reports of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas that were excised thoracoscopically, and review the literature regarding the management of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients who underwent precise localization and thoracoscopic excision of their mediastinal parathyroid adenomas had resolution of their hypercalcemia with minimal associated morbidity and shortened recovery periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas is the better means of controlling hypercalcemia secondary to parathyroid adenoma in those patients considered for either median sternotomy, thoracotomy or angiographic ablation where the exact location of the lesion can be established preoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery Education, Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado 80218, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Ratzer
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fenoglio
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed