Central Neck Lymph Node Size Measured by Ultrasound Significantly Predicts Central Neck Lymph Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01455613
eISSN
19427522
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85179928395
Pubmed ID
38099484
Journal Title
Ear, Nose and Throat Journal
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Ear, Nose and Throat Journal (2023)
Suggested Citation
Chotigavanich C., Ongard S., Metheetrairut C., Wongsuwan P., Sureepong P. Central Neck Lymph Node Size Measured by Ultrasound Significantly Predicts Central Neck Lymph Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Ear, Nose and Throat Journal (2023). doi:10.1177/01455613231215039 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95904
Title
Central Neck Lymph Node Size Measured by Ultrasound Significantly Predicts Central Neck Lymph Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Central lymph node (CLN) size as measured by an ultrasound can significantly predict CLN metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Materials and methods: This retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with PTC who underwent ultrasound and central neck dissection (CND). We excluded patients who received previous thyroid surgery or radiation. We analyzed the correlation between CLN size and characteristics by ultrasound and histopathologic findings among positive CLN patients. Results: Of the 48 patients who underwent preoperative ultrasound and CND, 34 patients had positive CLN identified by ultrasound. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound in this diagnostic setting was 88.0%, 21.0%, 73.2%, 42.9%, and 68.7%, respectively. The risk of CLN metastasis of PTC was 67.7% and 85.7% for lymph node size 3.1 to 4 mm and 4.1 to 5 mm, respectively. The risk increased to 100% when the lymph node size was >5 mm. Positive preoperative ultrasound of lateral neck lymph node was found to be a significant risk factor for CLN metastasis (P =.003). Conclusion: Ultrasound was found to be an effective preoperative evaluation in patients with PTC to determine the likelihood of CLN metastasis and whether CND is indicated, especially in the ultrasound-positive central lymph node. A high risk of metastasis was found in CLN size >3 mm by ultrasound, and the risk dramatically increased in CLN size >5 mm. We also found positive lateral neck node from preoperative ultrasound to be a significant risk factor for CLN metastasis.
