Targeted Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy for Ectopic Aortopulmonary Adenoma under Gamma Probe Guidance

Abstract

We report a case of 53-year-old woman with the parathyroid adenoma (PA) located in the aortopulmonary window with an aberrant right subclavian artery. Her preoperative calcium level was 11.3 mg/dL (reference range = 8.8–10.6 mg/dL). The parathyroid hormone level was significantly elevated at 127.4 pg/mL (reference range = 12–88 pg/mL) as measured on immunoradiometric assay. Dual-phase technetium-99m–labeled sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy and fluorine-18 ¹⁸F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a mediastinal tumor measuring 3 × 5 × 6 mm located anterolateral to the aortopulmonary window. Minimally invasive removal of PA was performed through 3.5-cm reverse J-shaped partial upper sternotomy to the third intercostal space. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels normalized within 24 hours of surgery. Our case represents the rare occurrence of a mediastinal PA associated with aberrant right subclavian artery treated with targeted minimally invasive approach using different imaging modalities including technetium-99m–sestamibi scintigraphy and fluorine-18 ¹⁸F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and intraoperative use of gamma probe for precise localization PA.