[Clinical analysis on nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts: a report of six cases].

Objective: To study the clinical and pathological characteristics, diagnoses and treatments of nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts.
Methods: Six cases of nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts treated in Tongren Hospital during 2002 - 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts in the six patients were inadvertently found as neck masses by physical examination. The levels of serum calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone were normal. Five cases of 6 patients with imaging suggested the existence of cystic mass in the back of inferior thyroid in 5 cases of the 6 patients.
Results: Tumors in the 6 patients were removed surgically and diagnosed as parathyroid cysts with post-operative pathological examination. PTH (parathyroid hormone), CgA (chromogranin A), Syn (synaptophysin) expressions in the tumors were positive. No recurrence was found with follow-up of 2 - 9 years after operation.
Conclusions: Surgical resection is most effective for the treatments of nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts and pathologic examination is required for the determined diagnosis of this disease. Fine needle aspiration can be helpful for the diagnosis before operation.