Ectopic parathyroid adenomas

Two cases of parathyroid tumours occurring in unusual situations are described. Such cases may cause difficulty in both the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism. The cases described illustrate the importance of a definitive aetiological diagnosis in hypercalcaemia, if appropriate surgery is to be performed. The value of discriminant function analysis and hydrocortisone suppression tests are discussed.