title: Surgical strategy for primary hyperparathyreoidism with thyroid hemiagenesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid hemiagenesis is a rare congenital anomaly, and still more rarely associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Due to the embryologic pathways of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, it remains unclear whether or not thyroid hemiagenesis may be linked to ipsilateral parathyroid agenesis, and consequently, surgical strategy for thyroid hemiagenesis associated pHPT (THAP) does not only depend on preoperative localization but also on the thyroid anomaly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Including the present case report, a total of nine cases with THAP retrieved from the literature were reviewed. Seven of nine cases had thyroid hemiagenesis on the left side, three out of nine showed a parathyroid adenoma on the contralateral side to the thyroid hemiagenesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these cases, it can be concluded that the embryologic pathways of the thyroid and parathyroid glands are different, and in cases of THAP, parathyroid exploration should follow standard recommendations for pHPT surgery.
authors: Division of General, Surgery Ospedale di Circolo, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini, 21100, Varese, Italy, cesarecarloferrari@gmail.com.
authors: Cesare Carlo
authors: CC
authors: Ferrari
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Lorenz
authors: Gianlorenzo
authors: G
authors: Dionigi
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Dralle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000601:surgery*; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000002:abnormalities*