title: Parathyroid adenoma presenting as a brown tumour of the mandible.
abstract: Background. Parathyroid adenoma is the commonest cause of primary hypercalcaemia and usually presents with symptoms/signs of hypercalcaemia. This paper highlights an unusual presentation. Case Report. A 27-year-old female presented with a painful left mandibular swelling, suspicious of neoplasia. A computed tomography (CT) guided biopsy was performed. Based on the histology result, serum calcium was carried out, confirming hypercalcaemia. A left inferior parathyroid adenoma was subsequently removed. CT mandible showed extensive erosive lesions at the left 2nd/3rd inferior molar roots with protrusion to adjacent soft tissues. USS revealed a hypoechoic lesion on the left inferior parathyroid gland. Sestamibi scan showed a focus of MIBI uptake and retention at the inferior aspect of the left thyroid lobe. Conclusion. This case highlights the importance of a thorough history and examination. Clinicians should always bear in mind atypical presentations of parathyroid adenomas, with the need to exclude this differential in the presence of hypercalcaemia.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery, Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent ME7 5NY, UK.
authors.forename: Kavit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Bertram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbaccia