Parathyroid carcinoma radiographically mimicking a carotid body tumour

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy and is a cause of primary hyperparathyroidism in less than 1% of cases. The authors present a case in which a lesion, radiologically suggestive of a carotid body tumour, but with the peroperative appearance of a vagal schwannoma had the definitive pathological diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma. Surgeons should be aware of unexpected malignant lesions involving the parathyroid glands.