title: Ectopic paraesophageal mediastinal parathyroid adenoma, a rare cause of acute pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism with acute pancreatitis is a rare event. Ectopic paraesophageal parathyroid adenomas account for about 5%-10% of primary hyperparathyroidism and surgical resection results in cure of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 71-year-old woman was presented with acute pancreatitis and hypercalcaemia. During the investigation of hypercalcemia, a paraesophageal ectopic parathyroid mass was detected by computerized tomography (CT) scan and 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy. The tumor was resected via a cervical collar incision and calcium and parathormone tumor levels returned to normal within 48 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute pancreatitis associated with hypercalcaemia should pose the suspicion of primary hyperparathyroidism. Accurate preoperative localization of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma, by using the combination of 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy and CT scan of the neck and chest allows successful surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Larissa University Hospital, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, 41110 Larissa, Greece. foroulis@internet.gr
authors.forename: Christophoros N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Foroulis
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rousogiannis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lioupis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koutarelos
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kassi
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lioupis