Hyperparathyroidism: ectopic parathyroid glands.

A patient with a parathyroid adenoma located beneath the throid capsule and within a benign thyroid adenoma is reported on. To the best of our knowledge, this lesion has not previously been reported. This case points out the difficulties that may be encountered when it is necessary to locate a missing parathyroid gland in a patient with multinocular goiter. In this clinical setting there may be a role for use of the various technics recommended for preoperative localization of a parathyroid adenoma.