Association of BRAFV600E mutation with ultrasonographic features and clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A retrospective study of 116 cases.

Abstract

To analyze the association of BRAFV600E mutation with ultrasonographic (US) features and clinicopathologic characteristics in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). We retrospectively reviewed 116 consecutive Chinese patients with PTMC diagnosed by postoperative pathology. The incidence of the BRAFV600E mutation was calculated. The US features and clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between BRAF-positive and BRAF-negative patients. The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 60.3% of patients (70 of 116). Multifocality (OR: 3.681, P = 0.031), non-parallel orientation (OR: 3.181, P = 0.041) and lymph node metastasis (OR: 4.615, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with BRAFV600E mutation. Other US and clinicopathologic characteristics were not significantly related to the presence of BRAF mutation. Multifocality, non-parallel orientation and cervical lymph node metastasis are risk factors for BRAFV600E mutation in PTMC. These factors potentially guide treatment planning or prognosis evaluation.