[Cystic parathyroid gland adenomas: pathologic-anatomic variants of parathyroid gland adenomas or a separate disease entity?].

Between 01.01.1987 and 31.12.1990 a primary operation was performed on 126 patients in the Dept. of General Surgery, University of Marburg Hospital for primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma. Their clinically relevant data were prospectively documented. In 6 patients (4.8%) a total of 7 cystic parathyroid adenomas was found. While there was no difference in age- and sex-distribution, patients with cystic adenomas were found to have markedly higher serum parathormone and alkaline phosphatase levels than patients with solid adenomas. Calcium levels were similar in both groups. Cystic adenomas were much heavier than solid adenomas. A significant number of cystic adenomas was found to be displaced into the posterior mediastinum. The property of cystic parathyroid adenomas to be frequently located away from their usual anatomical position can make the intraoperative search for them difficult.