Study on the prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis risk in preoperative thyroid papillary carcinoma by ultrasonic elemental observation of thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the correlation between ultrasound features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and lymph node metastasis by preoperative ultrasound elemental observation of thyroid nodules. Methods Three hundred and seventy-six patients who underwent primary thyroid surgery and confirmed by ultrasound and pathological data as single-focal PTC from Jannary to December 2017 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang Univbersity College of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. According to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, they were divided into central and lateral lymph node metastasis group and non-metastasis group. Independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) were analyzed by χ2 test and multivariate Logistic regression. Results Multivariate analysis showed that the posterior margin of the cancer was 0.38 cm3 (P=0.000), was more prone to CLNM. And multivariate analysis showed that the anterior margin of the cancer was 2 cm (P=0.001) group was more prone to LLNM. Compared with the tumor volume ≤0.38 cm3, the tumor volume >0.38 cm3 (P=0.000) was more prone to LLNM. Conclusions The larger volume of single focal PTC carcinoma and the closer to the posterior thyroid capsule are independent risk factors for CLNM. The larger volume and diameter of single focal PTC, and the closer to the anterior and medial wall capsule are independent risk factors for LLNM. Key words: Ultrasonography; Thyroid neoplasms; Lymph node metastasis