Ultrasonic Characteristics Improve Prediction of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in cN0 Unifocal Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Prediction of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is vital for clinical decision-making processes in clinically N0 (cN0) unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but the sensitivity of preoperative detection of CLNM is limited. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are ultrasonic (US) characteristics associated with CLNM. Methods: In total, 1657 PTC patients (514 men and 1143 women) were enrolled in the present study between January 2018 and May 2021. The patients met the following inclusion criteria based on preoperative detection: suspected nodule confirmed as PTC by biopsy; the nodule was unifocal and less than 4 cm in diameter; no prior neck radiation exposure; no extrathyroidal extension; and no CLNM or distant metastases on imaging. All the enrolled patients underwent total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central lymph node dissection (CLND). A postoperative pathological diagnosis was made. Results: CLNM was found in 58.4% of male patients and 36.9% of female patients. In univariate analysis, size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were considered risk factors for the male and female groups (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses, size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI were independent risk factors for male patients. For females, the independent risk factors included size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI. Conclusion: In the present cohort, US imaging characteristics, including size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI, were identified to be potentially beneficial in preoperative clinical decision-making processes for cN0 unifocal PTC patients.

Is Performance of Routine Central Compartment Neck Dissection in cN0 Papillary Thyroid Cancers Really Useful? 10-Year Prospective Observational Study.

Central compartment nodes of neck are the first echelon nodes in papillary thyroid cancers (PTC). This study analyses the adverse parameters associated with central compartment nodal metastasis in cN0 PTC and also the usefulness of performing central compartment neck dissection routinely. A total of 236 patients with cNo PTC who underwent prophylactic central compartment neck dissection, from January 2008 to June 2017 in the Department of Oncology, Madurai Medical College, were included in study. Analysis of various adverse factors associated with central compartment nodal metastasis was made. Patients (46.18%) had metastatic nodes in the central compartment. Incidence of nodal metastasis increased with tumour size, capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, tracheal invasion and pulmonary metastasis. More than 50% patients did not have any of the statistically significant known adverse risk factors except for age and sex. Routine central compartment neck dissection has therapeutic value in PTC even in absence of known adverse factors and can be recommended in cases of clinically negative nodes. A meticulous dissection in experienced hands carries less complication rates as with thyroidectomy alone. In a resource limited country like ours, where the cost of re-surgery and radioiodine scans are high, a meticulous initial surgery incorporating central compartment neck dissection would really mean a difference.

Pediatric thyroid cancer: Risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in patients with cN0 papillary carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Prophylactic central neck node dissection (CND) for pediatric patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is still controversial. We aimed to identify the incidence and the predictive parameters of the central lymph node metastasis (CLN) in pediatric patients with cN0 PTC. METHODS: This retrospective study had included 32 pediatric patients with cN0 PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CND from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: The proportion of CLN metastasis was 75.0%. Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that CLN metastasis was associated with age (≤15 years; p = 0.028), tumour size > 1 cm (p = 0.008), multifocality (p = 0.028) and external extension (p = 0.041) Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age (≤15 years), multifocality, tumour size (>1 cm) and external extension were independent risk factors of CLN metastasis in pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, central lymph node metastasis occurred in 75% of cN0 pediatric patient and were more common in larger tumour size (>1 cm), multifocal tumours, extrathyroidal extension, and younger age.