title: Multimodality imaging of a retrosternal parathyroid adenoma with multiple brown tumors.
abstract: Brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism are rare but can mimic metastatic disease on many imaging modalities. We report the case of a patient presenting with symptomatic brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism due to a large retrosternal parathyroid adenoma, with histopathological correlation of both. The initial imaging findings on plain radiography, computed tomography, and bone scintigraphy were nonspecific and difficult to differentiate from the more common diagnosis of metastatic disease. Whole body sestamibi imaging however demonstrated increased uptake within both the mediastinal mass and multiple bone lesions leading to the correct diagnosis. We demonstrate modern multimodality imaging of this rare but treatable condition, and discuss the relevant literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queens Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom. jameskirk@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Au-Yong
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganatra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography