Adult type rhabdomyoma presenting as a parathyroid adenoma.

BACKGROUND

Adult-type rhabdomyoma (ATR) is a rare mesenchymal tumor of skeletal muscle differentiation. Extracardiac ATR occurs most commonly in the head and neck, but do so in a heterogeneous fashion, arising at numerous different locations within this region.

METHODS

At our institution, we encountered a patient who was diagnosed clinically with parathyroid adenoma based on signs and symptoms of hyperparathyroidism and suggestive radiologic findings. A parathyroidectomy with intraoperative consultation was performed.

RESULTS

The frozen section diagnosis was ambiguous and a diagnosis of ATR was only made on permanent section.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of this tumor can prevent incorrect diagnosis and overtreatment intraoperatively. Herein, we describe the clinical history, pathologic findings, and review histologic features of rhabdomyomas.