Microscopic cysts of the parathyroid gland are a frequent finding. Cysts of appreciable size, however, are uncommon, and 11 cases have previously been described, by Goris,1 Anzilotti,2 de Quervain,3 Nylander,4 Welti,5 McKnight,6 Black and Watts,7 and McGoon and Cooley.8
The correct preoperative diagnosis has never been made, in most instances the patient coming to the operating room with the diagnosis of adenoma of the thyroid gland. In all previously reported cases no complications followed the removal of a parathyroid cyst. In our case, however, after the operation, the patient showed evidence of hypofunction, which persisted for several weeks, in spite of the fact that no other parathyroid tissue was found in the removed specimen. Exploration of the opposite side revealed a normal thyroid lobe, which was not disturbed.
REPORT OF A CASE
A 38-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of