Needle aspiration of nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts
A. D. Katz and D. Dunkleman
Parathyroid cysts, appearing as thyroid masses, have been previously
diagnosed at operation or by permanent histologic specimens. With the
advent of ultrasound and fine-needle biopsies, these very rare cysts can
now be diagnosed by needle aspiration. The pearly clear fluid of a
parathyroid cyst contrasts with the sanguineous or even chocolate-brown
fluid of a thyroid cyst. The high parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of the
fluid confirms the diagnosis, and a blood calcium level determines its
function or nonfunction in the patients. Of our seven nonfunctioning
parathyroid cysts, the first three were diagnosed by operation and the
other four by needle aspirations. The PTH determination ranged from 20,000
to 42,000 pg/mL. We suggest that needle aspiration, rather than operation,
be the treatment of choice.
