Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 58(3): 187-189
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185594
Case Reports

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Successful Unilateral Thoracoscopy for Bilateral Ectopic Mediastinal Parathyroidectomy

F. Fama'1 , M. G. Berry1 , C. Linard1 , M. Gioffre’-Florio1 , D. Metois2
  • 1Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
  • 2Chirurgie Viscerale, Endocrinienne et Thoracique, Centre Hospitalier Regional Orleans, Orleans, France
Further Information

Publication History

received January 14, 2009

Publication Date:
07 April 2010 (online)

Abstract

Ectopic parathyroid glands are frequently located in the thymus and may become hyperplasic in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. When medical management fails, surgical removal is required, using either a traditional open sternotomy approach or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We were able to excise large, bilateral, mediastinal parathyroid glands using only left VATS. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of the use of unilateral thoracoscopic subtotal thymectomy for the excision of bilateral ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands.

References

  • 1 Pattou F N, Pellissier L C, Noel C, Wambergue F, Huglo D G, Proye C A. Supernumerary parathyroid glands: frequency and surgical significance in treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism.  World J Surg. 2000;  24 1330-1334
  • 2 Richards M L, Wormuth J, Bingener J, Sirinek K. Parathyroidectomy in secondary hyperparathyroidism: is there an optimal operative management?.  Surgery. 2006;  139 174-180
  • 3 Kumar A, Kumar S, Aggarwal S, Kumar R, Tandon N. Thoracoscopy: the preferred method for excision of mediastinal parathyroids.  Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2002;  12 295-300
  • 4 Amar L, Guignat L, Tissier F, Richard B, Vignaux O, Fulla Y et al. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery as a first-line treatment for mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: strategic value of imaging.  Eur J Endocrinol. 2004;  150 141-147
  • 5 Prinz R A, Lonchyna V, Carnaille B, Wurtz A, Proye C. Thoracoscopic excision of enlarged mediastinal parathyroid glands.  Surgery. 1994;  116 999-1004

Dr. Fausto Fama', MD

Department of Human Pathology
University Hospital of Messina

Via Consolare Valeria, 1

98100 Messina

Italy

Phone: + 39 34 70 32 35 10

Fax: + 39 0 90 62 09 65

Email: famafausto@yahoo.it