[Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma presenting as cervical lymph node metastasis. Interest of tetrofosmin scintigraphy and lymph node thyroglobulin measurement]. / Microcarcinome papillaire de la thyroide révélé par des métastases ganglionnaires cervicales. Intérêt de la scintigraphie à la tétrofosmine et le dosage de la thyroglobuline ganglionnaire.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Thyroid microcarcinoma presenting as cervical lymph node metastasis is common and it is associated in most cases with the papillary variety. Diagnosis of lymph node metastases from a thyroid microcarcinoma is not always easy, because a thyroid nodule may not be palpable. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this work, the authors report two cases of papillary microcarcinoma presenting as cervical lymph adenopathy. RESULTS: The diagnosis was made preoperatively by Tetrofosmin scintigraphy and thyroglobulin measurement in the lymph node. CONCLUSION: Tetrofosmine scintigraphy is a performing exam but with a poor specificity. Lymph node thyroglobulin is a simple exam which is very sensitive and specific.