Use of a gamma probe to identify and guide resection of recurrent parathyroid carcinoma: report of a case.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) accounts for less than 0.005% of all cancers and less than 5% of causes of hyperparathyroidism. This tumor is difficult to identify during surgery, which is detrimental to the oncologic results. Surgery is still the main treatment for the primary tumor and to control parathyroid hormone levels after recurrence. We report a case of recurrent parathyroid carcinoma in a 30-year-old man, identified and managed with the use of a gamma probe during surgery. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of a gamma probe being used to guide resection of a recurrent PC. We discuss the diagnosis and treatment, analyzing the current evidence-based literature.