Parathyromatosis as cause of recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism: A cytologic diagnosis

Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism. It can be divided into two types: primary and secondary. The pathologic lesion consists of mu ltiple small nodules of hypercellular parathyroid tissue strewn in soft tis sue (fat, skeletal muscle, fibrous tissue) of the neck. We present a case o f parathyromatosis occurring in a patient with recurrent secondary hyperpar athyroidism 4 yr after parathyroidectomy. The diagnosis was confirmed preop eratively by fine-needle aspiration of one of several neck masses. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.