Spontaneous Infarction of a Parathyroid Adenoma: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The spontaneous infarction of a parathyroid adenoma is an uncommon event, although it has been previously described. Patients may present symptomatically or experience resolution of their hyperparathyroidism. As such the appropriate clinical management of these patients remains unclear. We present two cases of spontaneous infarction of parathyroid adenomas. The first presented with neck pain and dysphagia and experienced at least temporary resolution of her hyperparathyroidism. The second patient experienced a fall in his parathyroid hormone and calcium levels before neck exploration. Infarcted parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed on pathologic evaluation of the surgical specimen. Inflammation surrounding the infarcted adenoma provided for a technically difficult operation. Although resolution of hyperparathyroidism has been described postinfarction, a regeneration of the parathyroid adenoma may occur. Therefore neck exploration and parathyroidectomy should still be considered. We propose a period of observation after diagnosis of spontaneous parathyroid adenoma infarction to avoid these acute inflammatory changes that have been described.