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Predicting the factors of lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid in eastern China

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Abstract

Introduction

Lateral lymph node metastasis is common in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). The present study evaluated the clinicopathologic characteristics and ultrasonographic (US) findings in predicting lateral LNM from PTMC in eastern China.

Materials and methods

A total of 176 patients with confirmed PTMC by final histological examination who underwent central lymph node dissection (LND) and lateral LND were enrolled in our study. The clinicopathological and US data from the cases were analyzed retrospectively to determine the independent predictive factors for lateral LNM. Then, a scoring system was developed on the basis of independent factors. The sum of the points for individuals was evaluated for the value in predicting lateral LNM.

Results

Central LNM, underlying Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, upper pole location, no well-defined margin and presence of calcifications were independent predictive factors for lateral LNM on multivariate analysis. Clinicopathological and US index points were statistically significant, with ≤2 favoring lateral LNM negativity with a sensitivity of 83.3 %, positive predictive value of 89.6 % and negative predictive value of 72.9 %.

Conclusions

When the evaluation for lateral lymph nodes from a preoperative approach is inadequate or not obvious, our scoring system for prediction of lateral LNM can be another choice. Patients with clinicopathological and US index points ≤2 could be considered as lateral LNM negative, so more diagnostic approach is recommended for patients with clinicopathological and US index points >2.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

LNM:

Lymph node metastasis

PTMC:

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

PTC:

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

ROC curves:

Receiver-operating characteristic curves

US:

Ultrasonographic

FNAC:

Fine-needle aspiration cytology

LND:

Lymph node dissection

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Conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Rui-chao Zeng, Quan Li, Kuai-lu Lin, Wei Zhang, Er-li Gao, Guan-li Huang & Xiao-hua Zhang

  2. Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Min-hua Zheng

Authors
  1. Rui-chao Zeng
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  2. Quan Li
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  3. Kuai-lu Lin
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  4. Wei Zhang
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Correspondence to Quan Li.

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Zeng, Rc., Li, Q., Lin, Kl. et al. Predicting the factors of lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid in eastern China. Clin Transl Oncol 14, 842–847 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-012-0875-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-012-0875-2

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