A case of a retroesophageal parathyroid adenoma with an aberrant right subclavian artery: a potential surgical pitfall

Abstract

We report a case of retroesophageal parathyroid adenoma coexisting with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). A 63-year-old female presented with elevated serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone levels. 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigram and enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a mediastinal tumor measuring 25×15×7 mm located posterior to the esophagus. Three-dimensional CT provided accurate anatomical location of the tumor and the ARSA. We safely resected the ectopic parathyroid adenoma using video-assisted thoracic surgery owing to the accurate location of the adenoma and its relationship to the surrounding anatomical structures including the ARSA.