Abstract

This 49-year-old woman was referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) with primary hyperparathyroidism. Imaging studies failed to localise the adenoma so she required four-gland parathyroid exploration. She also required diagnostic left hemithyroidectomy as she had a U3 nodule with multiple insufficient fine needle aspirations (FNAs). Intraoperatively, the left thyroidectomy proceeded uneventfully. No convincing left inferior parathyroid gland was identified however palpation revealed a 1 cm mass just medial to carotid artery. This was excised as probable ectopic parathyroid gland. She was discharged two days later. Thirteen days postoperatively she attended Eye Casualty with a left-sided Horner’s syndrome. A CT angio of aortic arch was normal. She was reviewed at ENT outpatients. Histopathology report of the expected ectopic parathyroid gland returned as benign ganglioneuroma, likely arising from her left sympathetic chain. Horner’s syndrome is a common side effect from excision of ganglioneuromas, but an incredibly rare side effect from thyroid or parathyroid surgery.