Middle mediastinal parathyroid: diagnosis and surgical approach

We report two cases of middle mediastinal parathyroid ectopia associated with chronic renal disease. In both patients the diagnosis was delayed and prolonged due to the unusual location of the ectopic parathyroid tissue. The surgical approach was in error in 1 patient and corrected during the second procedure. We describe the surgical technique for exposing and excising parathyroid tissue from this area.