Asymptomatic parathyroid adenoma manifested by intratumoral hemorrhage.

A 48-year-old woman whose past history was unrevealing presented with sudden swelling of the neck with pain and dysphonia. Neck ultrasonography suggested the possibility of hemorrhage in a parathyroid adenoma. Surgical exploration revealed a hemorrhagic parathyroid adenoma of the chief cell type. This event is exceedingly rare, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suddenly appearing masses of the neck region.