Fine needle aspiration cytology of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Surgical exploration in the region of the neck identifies a majority of parathyroid adenomas; however, in individuals in whom surgical exploration has failed, fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy can be useful. Ectopic parathyroid adenomas can be rapidly diagnosed by the cytologic appearance of aspirate smears with the identification of stromal and intracellular lipid on oil red O-stained smears.

CASE

A 59-year-old male presented with hyperparathyroidism; surgical exploration of the neck in the region of the thyroid gland failed to identify any parathyroid abnormality. Subsequent imaging with (99m)technetium and (201)thallium showed a mass in the left supraclavicular region that, on FNA biopsy, was confirmed as an ectopic adenoma. Removal of the adenoma resulted in normal serum calcium levels.

CONCLUSION

FNA can be successfully utilized in the localization of ectopic parathyroid tissue.