Primary hyperparathyroidism due to a giant parathyroid adenoma: a case report

ABSTRACT

Parathyroid adenomas account for most cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas rarely attain huge proportions and since they are usually small in size, preoperative localization using sestamibi scanning or ultrasonography is required to avoid unnecessary bilateral neck exploration. We report herein the case of a 47 year old woman who was diagnosed as having a parathyroid tumor after she presented with bone pain. Detected by clinical findings, ultrasonography and parathyroid scintigraphy by 99m Tc-MIBI, her tumor was found to be a huge adenoma of the parathyroid, measuring 5.5x3.5x2 cm and weighing approximately 30 grams. This size and weight of tumor is a very rare finding in parathyroid adenomas, and deserves documentation