Two Cases of Non-functional Parathyroid Cysts

Abstract

Parathyroid cysts are comparatively rare, and are often difficult to differentiate from thyroid cysts preoperatively. Therefore, a definitive diagnosis of parathyroid cysts can be made only after surgery in most patients. We report two cases of parathyroid cysts. Parathyroid cysts are classified as functional or non-­functional, depending on whether the patient exhibits features of hyperparathyroidism or not. Both of our cases reported here were classified as having non-functional cysts. It is difficult to distinguish parathyroid cysts from thyroid cysts based on the clinical and radiological findings alone. It has been reported that analysis of the cyst contents obtained by cyst puncture under ultrasonographic guidance may be a useful technique for accurate diagnosis of parathyroid cysts. Puncture and ethanol injection are good treatment alternatives for this benign disease.