Hypercalcemia due to increased production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by parathyroid gland(s)
Enlarged parathyroid gland with normal cellular structure
Most are single adenomas, but 2 adenomas can occur
Usually posterior to thyroid gland
May be intrathyroidal or within thyroid capsule
Ectopic locations include carotid sheath, anterior mediastinum, and around heart
Pediatrics: Ectopic may be more common, particularly intrathymic
IMAGING
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
Anatomic Location of Parathyroid Glands
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Rampp RD et al: Single gland, ectopic location: Adenomas are common causes of primary hyperparathyroidism in children and adolescents. World J Surg. ePub, 2020
Bunch PM et al: Preoperative imaging techniques in primary hyperparathyroidism: A review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 144(10):929-37, 2018
Kuzminski SJ et al: Update in parathyroid imaging. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 26(1):151-66, 2018
Schenk WG 3rd et al: Surgeon-performed ultrasound for primary hyperparathyroidism. Am Surg. 79(7):681-5, 2013
Related Anatomy
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Pathology
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Parathyroid adenoma
Most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism
Hypercalcemia due to increased production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by parathyroid gland(s)
Enlarged parathyroid gland with normal cellular structure
Most are single adenomas, but 2 adenomas can occur
Usually posterior to thyroid gland
May be intrathyroidal or within thyroid capsule
Ectopic locations include carotid sheath, anterior mediastinum, and around heart
Pediatrics: Ectopic may be more common, particularly intrathymic
IMAGING
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
Anatomic Location of Parathyroid Glands
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Rampp RD et al: Single gland, ectopic location: Adenomas are common causes of primary hyperparathyroidism in children and adolescents. World J Surg. ePub, 2020
Bunch PM et al: Preoperative imaging techniques in primary hyperparathyroidism: A review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 144(10):929-37, 2018
Kuzminski SJ et al: Update in parathyroid imaging. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 26(1):151-66, 2018
Schenk WG 3rd et al: Surgeon-performed ultrasound for primary hyperparathyroidism. Am Surg. 79(7):681-5, 2013
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