Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma in Piriform Sinus: Case Report and Review of the Literature. 2019

Michael J Connolly, and Dorothy Lazinski, and Katherine A Aoki, and Laurie McLean, and Carlos Torres, and Marlise P Dos Santos
1 Department of Medical Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

During routine blood work, a 53-year-old female patient was noted to have asymptomatic hypercalcemia and subsequently found to have hyperparathyroidism. Localization studies for a suspected parathyroid adenoma included 99mTc Sestamibi scintigraphy, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) study, and ultrasound of the neck, which were initially read as negative for parathyroid adenoma. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck was performed to locate the suspected parathyroid adenoma and demonstrated a soft tissue lesion within the right piriform sinus. Flexible fiber optic nasolaryngoscopy revealed a submucosal lesion in the right piriform sinus. Following these findings, the initial 99mTc Sestamibi scintigraphy and SPECT/CT were reviewed with confirmation of a focal area of increased activity superior to the right thyroid lobe, corresponding to a nodule in the right piriform sinus that demonstrated increased activity on SPECT/CT. The patient was brought to the operating room for surgical management where a laryngoscope and operating microscope were utilized. The encapsulated lesion was dissected and excised in total. The parathyroid hormone and ionized calcium levels normalized postoperatively. Pathology confirmed a parathyroid adenoma. Parathyroid adenomas are the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Sixteen percent of parathyroid adenomas can be situated in an ectopic location. Ectopic parathyroid adenomas in the piriform sinus are rare with only a few previously documented cases. We document a rare case of ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the piriform sinus overlooked on initial imaging studies. These lesions can be challenging to localize, however, an understanding of embryology, close scrutiny of possible ectopic locations, and the application of complementary imaging techniques may prove useful for surgeons and clinicians.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010280 Parathyroid Glands Two pairs of small oval-shaped glands located in the front and the base of the NECK and adjacent to the two lobes of THYROID GLAND. They secrete PARATHYROID HORMONE that regulates the balance of CALCIUM; PHOSPHORUS; and MAGNESIUM in the body. Gland, Parathyroid,Glands, Parathyroid,Parathyroid Gland
D010610 Pharyngeal Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the PHARYNX. Cancer of Pharynx,Pharyngeal Cancer,Cancer of the Pharynx,Neoplasms, Pharyngeal,Neoplasms, Pharynx,Pharnyx Cancer,Pharynx Neoplasms,Cancer, Pharnyx,Cancer, Pharyngeal,Cancers, Pharnyx,Cancers, Pharyngeal,Neoplasm, Pharyngeal,Neoplasm, Pharynx,Pharnyx Cancers,Pharyngeal Cancers,Pharyngeal Neoplasm,Pharynx Cancer,Pharynx Cancers,Pharynx Neoplasm
D002828 Choristoma A mass of histologically normal tissue present in an abnormal location. Aberrant Tissue,Ectopic Tissue,Heterotopic Tissue,Aberrant Tissues,Choristomas,Ectopic Tissues,Heterotopic Tissues,Tissue, Aberrant,Tissue, Ectopic,Tissue, Heterotopic,Tissues, Aberrant,Tissues, Ectopic,Tissues, Heterotopic
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000236 Adenoma A benign epithelial tumor with a glandular organization. Adenoma, Basal Cell,Adenoma, Follicular,Adenoma, Microcystic,Adenoma, Monomorphic,Adenoma, Papillary,Adenoma, Trabecular,Adenomas,Adenomas, Basal Cell,Adenomas, Follicular,Adenomas, Microcystic,Adenomas, Monomorphic,Adenomas, Papillary,Adenomas, Trabecular,Basal Cell Adenoma,Basal Cell Adenomas,Follicular Adenoma,Follicular Adenomas,Microcystic Adenoma,Microcystic Adenomas,Monomorphic Adenoma,Monomorphic Adenomas,Papillary Adenoma,Papillary Adenomas,Trabecular Adenoma,Trabecular Adenomas
D056144 Pyriform Sinus A recess on each side in the wall of the HYPOPHARYNX. Piriform Fossa,Piriform Recess,Piriform Sinus,Fossa, Piriform,Recess, Piriform,Sinus, Piriform,Sinus, Pyriform

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