Number of central lymph node metastasis for predicting lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

作者：Zeng Rui chao; Zhang Wei; Gao Er li; Cheng Pu; Huang Guan li; Zhang Xiao hua^*; Li Quan

来源：Head and Neck-Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck, 2014, 36(1): 101-106.

DOI：10.1002/hed.23270

• papillary thyroid microcarcinoma
• lymph node
• central lymph node metastasis
• number of positive central lymph node
• lateral lymph node metastasis

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the relationship between the number of positive central lymph nodes and lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).
MethodsUp to 141 patients with PTMC were divided into 3 groups according to different positive central lymph node classifications as follows: group A, no positive central lymph node; group B, 1 positive central lymph node; and group C, 2 or more positive central lymph nodes.
ResultsIncidence of lateral lymph node metastasis was 30.5% (43 of 141). It was significantly high in group C compared with groups A and B, although there was no significant difference between groups A and B. Number of positive central lymph node 2, underlying Hashimoto thyroiditis, and extrathyroidal extension were the independent predictive factors for lateral lymph node metastasis on multivariate analysis.
ConclusionLateral lymph node metastasis was mainly observed in patients with 2 positive central lymph nodes, which is an independent predictive factor for lateral lymph node metastasis. Therefore, 2 positive central lymph nodes may be valuable in predicting lateral lymph node metastasis.

• 出版日期2014-1
• 单位温州医科大学