Mediastinal Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma: Report of Two Cases Successfully Treated by VATS Approach

Introduction

The first documented resection of a mediastinal parathyroid adenoma was performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1932, when a sea captain, Charles Martell, underwent his seventh operation for persistent hyperparathyroidism [[1]]. Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenomas are found in up to 25 % of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) [[2]]. However, only 2 % of ectopic parathyroid adenomas are not accessible using a standard cervical excision due to their location. Until recently, these lesions were treated with means of a transsternal or transthoracic approach using either sternotomy or thoracotomy. Because these operations have a high rate of morbidity [[2]], some authors advocate the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or video-assisted mediastinoscopic surgery (VAMS) as more gentle, minimally invasive procedures. We report two cases with ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenomas that were successfully treated by VATS.

References

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