FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF AN ECTOPIC PARATHYROID ADENOMA - ACASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Surgical exploration in the region of the neck identifies a majority of parathyroid adenomas; however, in individuals in whom su rgical exploration has failed, fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy can be useful. Ectopic parathyroid adenomas can be rapidly diagnosed by t he cytologic appearance of aspirate smears with the identification of stromal and intracellular lipid on oil red O-stained smears. CASE: A 5 9-year-old male presented with hyperparathyroidism; surgical explorati on of the neck in the region of the thyroid gland failed to identify a ny parathyroid abnormality. Subsequent imaging with (99m)technetium an d (201)thallium showed a mass in the left supraclavicular region that, on FNA biopsy, was confirmed as an ectopic adenoma. Removal of the ad enoma resulted in normal serum calcium levels. CONCLUSION: FNA can be successfully utilized in the localization of ectopic parathyroid tissu e.