title: Elevated calcium level in parathyroid cyst fluid.
abstract: Parathyroid cysts are uncommon neck masses. The diagnosis is generally established when the parathormone level is found to be elevated in the typically clear cyst fluid obtained by fine needle aspiration. We present a case where the serum and cyst fluid intact parathormone levels were normal yet the diagnosis was established by demonstrating an elevated fluid calcium level. The cyst recurred after two attempts at aspiration, so the patient underwent a curative operative excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Burhop
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cerletty
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Demeure