Simultaneous intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with kidney transplantation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation has been associated with adverse outcomes. Parathyroidectomy is the definitive treatment approach, but the success of parathyroidectomy relies on the accurate preoperative localization of the culprit parathyroid lesions. Simultaneous intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma present important diagnostic challenges. Here, we describe a patient with kidney transplantation who underwent successful surgery after being evaluated with functional and structural imaging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old man presented with potentially malignant multifocal thyroid nodules by ultrasonography 2 years after kidney transplantation. The patient had hypercalcaemia and persistent hyperparathyroidism. Thyroid papillary carcinoma was confirmed in the left thyroid nodules by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The right superior thyroid hypoechoic nodule was 1.2 cm in size and showed marked uptake of the tracer (99m)TcO(4)-sestamibi during single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT); additionally, a cystic parathyroid lesion without tracer uptake was present behind the left superior pole of the thyroid. The histological examination demonstrated the coexistence of right intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas, left cystic parathyroid nodular hyperplasia and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. At the 6-month follow-up, the serum calcium levels were within the normal range, and the patient’s kidney function remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with kidney transplantation is a rare clinical scenario. Physicians must be aware that the combination of functional (SPECT/CT) and structural (ultrasonography) imaging is highly successful in diagnosing patients with coexistent intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas and papillary thyroid carcinoma.