Value of high-frequency ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced features in predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid micropapillary carcinoma / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the predictive value of high frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced imaging features in predicting cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 184 patients with PTMC confirmed by surgery and pathology in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2015 to December 2018 was performed. According to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, the patients were divided into metastasis group and non-metastasis group. Univariate analysis was used to compare the features of high frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the two groups, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis, and their prediction value was analyzed with ROC curves.Results:Among 184 patients, 50 (27.2%) had lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that age (χ 2=10.026) , number of nodules (χ 2=10.497) , calcification (χ 2=17.414) , aspect ratio (χ 2=4.564) , nodule location (χ 2=20.542) , enhancement time (χ 2=7.882) , enhancement mode (χ 2=6.416) and enhancement intensity (χ 2=9.899) were significantly associated with cervical lymph mode metastasis (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age<45 years old ( OR=2.626, 95 %CI1.141-6.052) , multifocal lesions ( OR=3.648, 95 %CI1.542-8.631) , microcalcification ( OR=2.925, 95 %CI1.055-8.115) and equal/high enhancement ( OR=8.042, 95 %CI 1.879-34.429) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of above indicators combined was 0.762. Conclusions:High frequency ultrasonography combined with contrast-enhanced imaging can provide useful information for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis of PTMC. For PTMC patients aged<45 years with multifocal lesions, microcalcification and equal/high enhancement, the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis is significantly increased.