Abstract
The authors describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging
findings of a 69-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man with a nonfunctional mediastinal
parathyroid cyst. In the described cases, unenhanced CT showed homogeneous areas of
water density, and unenhanced MRI showed homogeneous areas that were isointense to
cerebrospinal fluid, reflecting their serous fluid contents. Both cysts were located
posterior to the left lower pole of the thyroid gland with an extension to the superior
mediastinum, either anterior or posterior to the left brachiocephalic vein. CT and
MR imaging findings of parathyroid cysts are nonspecific, and they are often difficult
to differentiate from other cystic lesions located in the lower neck or in the superior
mediastinum. However, a parathyroid cyst should be considered when radiologic images
demonstrate its characteristic location, posterior to the thyroid gland, with an extension
to the superior mediastinum.
Keyword
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 23, 2008
Accepted:
December 17,
2007
Received:
October 10,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
