Water-clear cell parathyroid adenoma: A case report and mini-review of the literature

Water-clear cell parathyroid adenoma (WCCPA) is a rare variant of parathyroid adenoma, characterized by large polygonal cells with optically clear cytoplasm. To date, only a limited number of cases have been reported in the English literature. The present study describes the case of a patient with WCCPA.

An 80-year-old female presented with muscle pain and fatigue lasting for 1 week. A clinical examination revealed a normal thyroid gland with no palpable masses. Laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of serum calcium (12.73 mg/dl) and parathyroid hormone (PTH; 303 pg/ml).

A neck ultrasonography revealed a 28x16x11 mm hypoechoic, mildly vascular lesion, suspicious of a parathyroid nodule, located posterior to the left thyroid lobe. A left lower parathyroidectomy was performed, and a histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of WCCPA. Post-operatively, the serum calcium and PTH levels …