ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between ultrasonographic features of papillary thy-roid carcinoma(PTC)and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LCLNM).Methods A total of 449 eligible ca-ses with 633 PTC nodules was selected and divided into two groups:LCLNM group included 135 nodules(91 pa-tients);Without metastatic groups included 498 nodules(135 patients).Ultrasonographic features of PTC nodules and the relationship with LCLNM were analyzed by χ2 test and logistic regression analysis .Results In univariate analysis,the significant factors were male,age1 cm),multi-microcal-cificaltion(d<2 mm),mixed flow,wider than tall,CCLNM,extrathyroid extension,located in upper(P<0.05 or P<0.017).Multivariate analysis showed that multi -microcalcificaltion(d<2 mm),wider than tall,CCLNM,ex-trathyroid extension,located in upper pole were predictive factors of LCLNM (P<0.005,OR=1.626,2.644, 0.479,2.579).Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound can accurately describe the sonographic appearance of thyroid nodules;it can be used to remind the risk of LCLNM before operation ,and will be informative for the treat-ment of surgery .
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Although ultrasound is routinely used for pre-operative evaluation of neck nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, CT is also widely used. We designed a prediction score of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (PSLCNM) for improving diagnostic ability of CT. The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical significance of the PSLCNM. METHODS: A total of 124 patients with thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgery of lateral cervical lymph node dissection after pre-operative CT evaluation were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic ability between CT findings by one radiologist and PSLCNM for prediction of lateral lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: In terms of predicting lateral cervical node metastasis, the positive predictive value of CT findings of indeterminate, suspicious, or metastatic nodes were 37.5% (21/56), 68.3% (28/41), 85.7% (18/21). Those of 1, 2, 3, 4 in sum of PSLCNM were 34% (16/47), 60% (30/50), 91% (10/11), 100% (10/10). CONCLUSION: Prediction of lateral cervical node metastasis using PSLCNM showed a better result than conventional CT findings and could decrease unnecessary surgical procedures and postoperative complications in the surgery of thyroid cancer.