Surgical Treatment for Parathyroid Adenoma: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid adenoma is a rare disease. This article aimed to present the classic symptoms, diagnosis, and management of parathyroid adenoma. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 24-year-old Asian woman with a several-month-long history of prolonged fatigue, bone, and joint pain. The patient was admitted to our hospital with multiple fractures without significant trauma. Physical examination revealed no palpable masses in the neck. The bone survey showed multiple fractures and osteoporosis of the humerus, clavicle, femur, and lumbar vertebrae. The laboratory workup showed a significantly elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of 1,276 pg/ml (reference range: 10-55 pg/ml) and hypercalcemia, at 11.3 mg/dl (reference range: 8.5-10.5 mg/dl). MRI revealed enlargement of the left inferior parathyroid gland. The patient was diagnosed with a parathyroid gland tumour. Surgical resection was performed, and histopathology revealed parathyroid adenoma. The clinical manifestations and PTH and calcium levels gradually decreased to normal after the surgery. At the two-year follow-up, there was no recurrence of the disease. The patient has resumed her daily life as a farmer. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid adenoma has an excellent prognosis with surgical treatment.