Parathyroid carcinoma presenting as normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare malignancy, with an indolent but progressive course. Long-term survival is largely dependent on the extent of the primary surgical resection. Hence, pre- or intraoperative suspicion of malignancy is of great importance. We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with a 2-year history of asthenia and mental depression. Her past medical history was significant for osteoporosis. A diagnosis of primary normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism was established and the patient underwent surgery. PC was suspected intraoperatively because of the size and appearance of the parathyroid mass (a grayish, lobulated 3.5 cm mass). Thus, aggressive surgery (en bloc resection) was performed, along with bilateral neck exploration. Pathological examination of the specimens confirmed the suspicion of PC, demonstrating vascular invasion and extracapsular infiltration into adjacent soft tissue. Immunohistochemical staining revealed an elevated Ki-67 score (8.43%; cut-off value 5%). The mean area of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) was high (4.972 µm(2)), indicating an elevated proliferation rate. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels normalized postoperatively, and the patient's 5-year outcome was good. The present case provides evidence that parathyroid malignancy cannot be excluded a priori based on normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism, emphasizing the variability in clinical presentation. Moreover, Ki-67 expression and AgNOR analysis confirmed their additional value in complementing the histological evaluation of a parathyroid malignant mass.

[Case report of a cervical thoracic duct cyst]. / Su di un caso di cisti del dotto toracico in regione cervicale.

After a number of anatomical considerations regarding the thoracic duct and the diseases that may affect it, the authors report that, in the literature, such cystic lesions of an iatrogenic nature are extremely rare in the cervical area. After discussing the diagnostic methods for a correct preoperative diagnosis, they address the surgical technique they used for removal of the lesion.