Primary Hyperparathyroidism Misdiagnosed as Giant Cell Bone Tumor of Maxillary Sinus: A Case Report

1. Introduction

Brown tumor is an unusual bone change created by primary hyperparathyroidism affected less than 2% of primary hyperparathyroidism patients (1-3). Brown tumors have no neoplastic behavior but are a reparative cellular response.

Histological feature of brown tumor is delineated by soft tissue swelling consisted of hemorrhage foci, cystic like areas lining with connective contexture and fibrovascular tissue surrounding multinucleated cells namely giant cell (3). Patients with parathyroid gland dysfunction classified to subtypes of pathological disturbance (adenoma, hyperplasia, secondary type of hyperparathyroidism and para-neoplastic syndromes) recognized by elevated levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone on routine laboratory findings. Brown tumor; rapid turnover of osteoclastic cells; results from hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) for a long time (4).

Usually advanced lytic lesions such as brown tumor are accompanied by symptoms produced by hypercalcemia. Brown tumor is recognized only in less than 5% of patients with hyperparathyroidism. Flank pain produced by renal stones, gastrointestinal tract disorders and neurological disturbances are other symptoms of hypercalcemia (5, 6). Common structures affected by brown tumor are bony thorax (ribs and clavicle), pelvic rim and long bones (tibia and femur). Involvement of maxilla is rare; furthermore, maxillary brown tumor is unusual and mostly accompanied by other brown tumors of facial bones such as mandible and hard palate (7).

Our patient had a lytic lesion (brown tumor) in right maxillary sinus produced by atypical hyperplasia of parathyroid gland. Swelling of right buccal space and maxillary bone due to brown tumor was the first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism.

2. Case Presentation

A 35-year-old woman was referred with an 11-month history of gradually swelling of the right maxilla and buccal spaces began during pregnancy two years ago. Patient felt no facial pain or paresthesia.

There was no history of trauma to the facial bones, nasal obstruction, dental problem, epistaxis, drugs consumption or visual change.

On physical examination, facial asymmetry was found due to swelling of right maxilla without significant tenderness.

No other clinical or laboratory problems were found. Postpartum CT scan of the maxillofacial region revealed a large lytic expansile multi-septated mass along the right maxillary sinus and buccal region (60 × 52 × 45 mm) (Figure 1). In this patient, surgical excision of maxillary lesion was performed and histopathology was compatible with a giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone. Biopsy revealed a benign process consisting of significant number of osteoclasts with little osteoblast cells and small component of fibrosis and osteoid formation without evidence of malignant features.

A 35-year-old woman with gradually swelling of the right maxilla. Axial (A) and coronal (B) view of postcontrast facial CT revealed a large lytic expansile multi-septated mass lesion in right maxillary sinus containing septa. Adjacent soft tissue is unremarkable.

Figure 1.

A 35-year-old woman with gradually swelling of the right maxilla. Axial (A) and coronal (B) view of postcontrast facial CT revealed a large lytic expansile multi-septated mass lesion in right maxillary sinus containing septa. Adjacent soft tissue is unremarkable.

Four months following surgery, gradual progressive swelling of the bed of tumor was recurred and revised pathological slices were compatible with GCT. Regarding patient recent paresthesia, repeated laboratory tests were performed. According to laboratory tests (elevation of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone), ultrasonography and radioisotope scan (Sestamibi) were considered. In ultrasonography, a 11 × 14 × 27 mm mixed hypo echo mass lesion was seen in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe compatible with probable vascular parathyroid mass (Figure 2). In sestamibi isotope scan, increased uptake in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe suggested a right parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia (Figure 3). Other bone survey was unremarkable.

Neck sonography showed a 27 × 14 × 11 mm mixed hypo echoic mass lesion in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe compatible with vascular parathyroid mass (A,B).

Figure 2.

Neck sonography showed a 27 × 14 × 11 mm mixed hypo echoic mass lesion in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe compatible with vascular parathyroid mass (A,B).

Radioisotope scan (Tc-99 m sestamibi) depicted a right parathyroid hyperplasia. Persistent concentration of radiotracer (after 2 hours injection) in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe by Tc 99 m sestamibi scan delineated a right parathyroid hyperplasia.

Figure 3.

Radioisotope scan (Tc-99 m sestamibi) depicted a right parathyroid hyperplasia. Persistent concentration of radiotracer (after 2 hours injection) in posterior aspect of right thyroid lobe by Tc 99 m sestamibi scan delineated a right parathyroid hyperplasia.

After diagnosis of parathyroid mass, surgical excision was performed. Pathological findings of the right parathyroid gland revealed an encapsulated mass with solid-cystic component. Microscopically, the mass had a nodular growth pattern. Cells organizing the mass had a uniform shape with rounded nucleoli and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm without evidence of fat within the cytoplasm (Figure 4). Pathological and surgical findings were compatible and consistent with parathyroid hyperplasia.

In histopathology, the cells had a uniform shape with rounded nucleoli and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm without evidence of fat within the cytoplasm. (A) H and E (× 40), (B) H and E (× 100)

Figure 4.

In histopathology, the cells had a uniform shape with rounded nucleoli and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm without evidence of fat within the cytoplasm. (A) H and E (× 40), (B) H and E (× 100)

Diagnosis of brown tumor due to primary hyperparathyroidism related to parathyroid hyperplasia was achieved according to clinical and pathological findings.

3. Discussion

Hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by elevation of parathyroid hormone levels. The most common causes of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) are adenoma (81%), hyperplasia (15%) and carcinoma (0.5% - 4%) of parathyroid gland (1, 2).

PHP is most often occurred in patients older than 50 years with females preponderant. At the time of diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), merely 2% of patients are younger than 30 years (4). Primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism had similar clinical presentations, but the primary type is more severe than the secondary type (2, 3).

Brown tumors are consequence of an imbalance between osteoclast and osteoblast cells activity, which can lead to bone resorption and its substitution by fibrous tissue (4).

Unlike the term, brown tumor is misnomer, because they are not neoplastic lesions. Substitutes for the term of brown tumor have been recommended, but not accepted yet.

Nowadays, diagnosis of brown tumor in asymptomatic patients is incidental detection of high serum level of calcium (1-7).

But yet in some patients, the only late presentation of brown tumor is bony manifestations.

Involvement of facial bones by the brown tumor is extremely rare, especially in the maxilla and hard palate (7).

On imaging, bony manifestations of brown tumor are a lytic well defined border lesion along with bone expansion and cortical thinning. Generalized osteopenia may also be seen.

Histologically differentiation between Brown tumors and other giant cell-containing lesions such as aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), GCT and giant cell consisting granuloma is indistinguishable (5-7).

The important aspect of our case was maxillary brown tumor as the initial presentation of an atypical parathyroid hyperplasia without involvement of mandible, palate and other facial bones, which at first misdiagnosed as GCT.

Therefore, screening both hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism in all patients referred with a recurrent GCT in facial bones should be performed.

Finally, excision of parathyroid tumor in our patient was performed and biopsy revealed histologic features of parathyroid hyperplasia.

After excision of parathyroid gland tumor and decreased levels of biochemical parameters, partial or completely regression of brown tumors occurs spontaneously (7).

Indication for surgical resection of brown tumors is a deformed and large lesion or weakening of affected bone. Although, other authors (7) believe that surgical excision of residual brown tumors should be performed after initial treatment with systemic corticosteroids to decrease the size of tumors.

In our case, also no surgical excision was considered after diagnosis of parathyroid hyperplasia; the brown tumor disappeared after resection of enlarged parathyroid gland.

This patient was interesting because of unusual clinical presentation, unusual occurrence of brown tumor in maxilla and rare presentation of brown tumor due to parathyroid hyperplasia. This case highlights the importance of thorough diagnostic work-up for all lesions in the maxilla to differentiate recurrent GCT and brown tumors.