Parathyroid cyst

The parathyroid glands are small, oval-shaped glands. 85% of people have two pairs, an upper and a lower, totaling four glands. The upper pair is usually located above the thyroid gland, and the lower pair is immediately below the thyroid lobes. Parathyroid cysts are cysts that occur in the parathyroid glands. They are uncommon, not contagious, and currently believed not to be hereditary. Depending on their manifestations, they can be divided into two types: functional and non-functional. Non-functional parathyroid cysts: These account for 85% of parathyroid cysts and primarily present as a mass in the neck. The mass may cause discomfort by compressing adjacent tissues due to its location or size, leading to symptoms such as a foreign body sensation when swallowing, difficulty breathing, or changes in voice. Functional parathyroid cysts: These account for 15% of parathyroid cysts. In addition to presenting with a mass, they also exhibit symptoms related to hyperparathyroidism, such as bone and joint pain and kidney stones. They are more common in middle-aged women, with an average age of onset of 49 years.