Central Cervical Node Dissection Research Articles

Surgical approach selection and prognosis analysis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma in the isthmus

Objective:To compare the prognosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma of the isthmus（PTMCI） after different surgical methods, and to investigate the most appropriate surgical plan for it, so as to provide reference for the selection of clinical surgical plan. Methods:The clinical data of 106 PTMCI patients diagnosed with postoperative pathology after surgical treatment in Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from January 2016 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to whether there were nodules in the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland, namely, isolated PTMCI group, PTMCI group with unilateral lobe nodules, and PTMCI group with bilateral lobe nodules. Combined with follow-up information, the differences of recurrence rate, survival rate and postoperative complications after different surgical methods were compared among all groups. The surgical procedures included isthmic thyroidectomy, isthmic + unilateral lobectomy, and total thyroidectomy. All patients underwent central lymph node dissection at the same time. Results:There were no significant difference in recurrence rate, survival rate and postoperative complications among all groups and between groups. Postoperative recurrence occurred in 2 patients, among which 1 patient was PTMCI with multiple focal tumors in unilateral lobe undergoing isthmus + unilateral lobectomy + ipsilateral central lymph node dissection. The recurrence was manifested as contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Another case of PTMCI with bilateral benign nodules underwent isthmus + unilateral lobe（larger nodule） resection + ipsilateral central lymph node dissection, and the recurrence was manifested as residual glandular recurrence. One patient developed permanent hoarseness after surgery. The postoperative pathology of 31 patients（29.2%） indicated multiple focal thyroid carcinoma. Postoperative pathology of 41 patients（38.7%） suggested lymph node metastasis in the central region of neck. The disease-specific survival rate was 100%. Conclusion:Isthmic thyroidectomy is recommended for isolated PTMCI. Isthmus of thyroid+ unilateral lobectomy is feasible for PTMCI with unilateral lobectomy. If multiple suspicious malignant nodules（≥3） occur in unilateral lobectomy, total thyroidectomy is recommended. Total thyroidectomy is feasible for PTMCI with bilateral nodules. All PTMCI patients should undergo prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection at the same time.

The model for predicting the central lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is controversial. These include central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), which affects the prognosis of PTMC patients. This study aimed to establish a predictive model combining ultrasonography and clinicopathological features to accurately evaluate latent CLNM in PTMC patients with HT at the clinical lymph node-negative (cN0) stage. In this study, 1102 PTMC patients who received thyroidectomy and central cervical lymph node dissection (CLND) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022 and the 960th Hospital of PLA from January 2021 to December 2022 were jointly collected. The clinical differences between PTMCs with HT and those without HT were compared. A total of 373 PTMCs with HT in cN0 were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. By analyzing and screening the risk factors of CLNM, a nomogram model was established and verified. The predictive performance was measured by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA). The ratio of central lymph node metastasis (CLNMR) in PTMCs with HT was 0.0% (0.0%, 15.0%) and 7.7% (0.0%, 40.0%) in the non-HT group (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, calcification, adjacent to trachea or capsule, and TPOAB were predictors of CLNM in PTMCs with HT. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the prediction models in the training cohort and the validation cohort were 0.835 and 0.825, respectively, which showed good differentiation ability. DCA indicates that the prediction model also has high net benefit and clinical practical value. This study found that CLN involvement was significantly reduced in PTMC patients with HT, suggesting that different methods should be used to predict CLNM in PTMC patients with HT and without HT, to more accurately assist preoperative clinical evaluation. The actual CLNM situation of PTMCs with HT in cN0 can be accurately predicted by the combination of ultrasonography and clinicopathological features.

Central cervical lymph node dissection in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer

Background. The need to perform prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection in localized forms of highly differentiated thyroid cancer remains open at the moment. Preoperative examination does not always allow to reliably determine the presence of regional metastasis in the lymph nodes of the VI group.Aim. Evaluation of the neck central lymphatic collector damage frequency in clinical N0-Nx based on the results of a morphological study after performing a preventive central cervical lymph node dissection.Materials and methods. The study involved 295 patients operated on in 2016-2022 for papillary thyroid cancer with the prevalence of the tumor process — cT1-T2, N0-Nx. The ratio of men and women is 11.5% (n=34) and 88.5% (n=261). Of these, 40.7% (n=120) were less than 55 years old, 59.3% were more than 55 years old (n=175). All patients underwent surgical treatment in the amount of thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy with central cervical lymph node dissection.Results. In a morphological study, in some patients there was a change in the clinical stage from T1-T2 to T3: pT1 was found in 80.3% (n=237); рТ2 — in 9.2% (n=27); рТ3 — in 10.5% (n=31). In 77 (26.1%) of 295 patients, metastases were found in the lymph nodes of the central tissue of the neck. Primary surgical treatment — thyroidectomy with central cervical lymph node dissection —was performed in 295 patients, of which tumors corresponding to the cT1 — 247 (83.7%), cT2 — 48 (16.3%). According to the results of pathomorphological examination of the tissue of the neck after prophylactic lymph node dissection, pN1a was detected in 57 (23.1%) and 20 (41.7%) patients, respectively.When assessing the frequency of damage to the regional lymph collector of group VI after performing a morphological study of the removed tissue, it was revealed that with pT1 the frequency of damage to the lymph nodes was 22.8% (n54); at рТ2 — 33.3% (n9); and at pT3 this figure increases to 45.2% (n14).Conclusion. According to the results of the study, it was revealed that there is a clear dependence of the defeat of regional lymph nodes of the central tissue of the neck on the size of the primary tumor from 22.8% with pT1 to 33.3% with pT2 and 45.2% with pT3. Thus, the implementation of prophylactic central cervical lymphadenectomy for papillary thyroid cancer is an important component of surgical treatment.

Preoperative Prediction of Central Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Fine-Needle Aspiration Reporting Suspicious Papillary Thyroid Cancer or Papillary Thyroid Cancer Without Lateral Neck Metastasis

PurposeNo non-invasive method can accurately determine the presence of central cervical lymph node (CCLN) metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) until now. This study aimed to investigate factors significantly associated with CCLN metastasis and then develop a model to preoperatively predict CCLN metastasis in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) reporting suspicious papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) or PTC without lateral neck metastasis.Patients and MethodsConsecutive inpatients who were diagnosed as suspicious PTC or PTC in FNA and underwent partial or total thyroidectomy and CCLN dissection between May 1st, 2016 and June 30th, 2018 were included. The total eligible patients were randomly divided into a training set and an internal validation set with the ratio of 7:3. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were conducted in the training set to investigate factors associated with CCLN metastasis. The predicting model was built with factors significantly correlated with CCLN metastasis and validated in the validation set.ResultsA total of 770 patients were eligible in this study. Among them, 268 patients had histologically confirmed CCLN metastasis, while the remaining patients did not. Factors including age, BRAF mutation, multifocality, size, and capsule involvement were found to be significantly correlated with the CCLN metastasis in univariate and multivariate analysis. A model used to predict the presence CCLN metastasis based on these factors and US CCLN status yielded AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.933 (95%CI: 0.905-0.960, p < 0.001), 0.816, 0.966 and 0.914 in the training set and 0.967 (95%CI: 0.943-0.991, p < 0.001), 0.897, 0.959 and 0.936 in the internal validation set.ConclusionAge, BRAF mutation, multifocality, size, and capsule involvement were independent predictors of CCLN metastasis in FNA reporting suspicious PTC or PTC without lateral neck metastasis. A simple model was successfully built and showed excellent discrimination to distinguish patients with or without CCLN metastasis.

Predictors and a Prediction Model for Central Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (cN0).

ObjectivesTo screen out the predictors of central cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and establish a prediction model to guide the operation of PTC patients (cN0).MethodsData from 296 PTC patients (cN0) who underwent thyroid operation at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected and retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups in accordance with central CLNM or not. Their information, including ultrasound (US) features, BRAFV600E status, and other characteristics of the two groups, was analyzed and compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the independent predictors were selected to construct a nomogram. The calibration plot, C-index, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the prediction model’s calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness.ResultsA total of 37.8% (112/296) of PTC patients had central CLNM, and 62.2% (184/296) did not. The two groups were compared using a univariate logistic regression analysis, and there were no significant differences between the two groups in sex, aspect ratio, boundary, morphology, hypoechoic nodule, thyroid peroxidase antibody, or tumor location (P>0.05), and there were significant differences between age, tumor size, capsule contact, microcalcifications, blood flow signal, thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and BRAF gene status (P<0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to further clarify the correlation of these indices. However, only tumor size (OR=2.814, 95% Cl=1.634~4.848, P<0.001), microcalcifications (OR=2.839, 95% Cl=1,684~4.787, P<0.001) and TgAb (OR=1.964, 95% Cl=1.039~3,711, P=0.038) were independent predictors of central CLNM and were incorporated and used to construct the prediction nomogram. The model had good discrimination with a C-index of 0.715. An ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of this model. The decision curve analysis showed that the model was clinically useful when intervention was decided in the threshold range of 16% to 80%.ConclusionIn conclusion, three independent predictors of central CLNM, including tumor size (> 1.0 cm), US features (microcalcifications), and TgAb (positive), were screened out. A visualized nomogram model was established based on the three predictors in this study, which could be used as a basis of central cervical lymph node dissection (CLND) for PTC patients (cN0).

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: distinct form or cancer growth stage?

Background. Over the past decades an increase in the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has been observed throughout the world owing to the improved diagnostics. There are many different opinions about the aggressiveness degree of this group of tumors, as well as about the tactics of managing patients with PTMC.Aim of the study is the identification of the prognostic factors responsible for the features of the clinical course, including the more aggressive one.Materials and methods. A study was carried out with a detailed analysis of a group of patients with papillary thyroid cancer ≤1 cm in size and the existing clinical data of regional and distant metastases. All patients underwent thyroidectomy with bilateral central cervical lymph node dissection. Factors such as gender, patient age, bilaterality, extrathyroid extension, the presence or absence of a capsule around the tumor node, the absence or presence of metastases in the central part were assessed. In 26.6% histological examination revealed metastatic lesions of the central group lymph nodes. Latent metastases were detected in 24.2% of women and 43% of men, in 36.7% of patients &lt;55 and in 14.3% of patients ≥ 55 years, in 29.5% with the absence of the node capsule and in 19.3% with encapsulated tumors, in 48.1% with multicentric growth and in 19.5% with a solitary neoplasm, in 21.7% with a tumor size ≤0.5 cm and in 27.9% with a node of 0.6–1 cm, in 24% with the absence of invasion of the thyroid capsule and in 31% with the presence of extrathyroid invasion, in 21% of patients with typical, in 26% with follicular and 43% with mixed papillary cancer. 95 patients received radioiodine therapy. No additional metastases were found in them.Results. When conducting univariate analysis, the main signs influencing the development of metastases in the central zone were age up to 55 years (p = 0.009, χ2 = 6.919) and multicentric neoplasm (p = 0.004, χ2 = 8.530); in multivariate analysis, similarly, age younger 55 years (p = 0.000, Exp B = 0.011, CI 95.0% 0.001–0.106) and multifocality (p = 0.027, Exp B = 2.686, CI 95.0% 1.119–6.448).Conclusion. PTMC is not a separate group or tumor morphotype, and the determination of treatment tactics for this group of patients should be based not only on the size of the tumor, but on the clinical and biological parameters of the tumor.

Папиллярная микрокарцинома щитовидной железы: отдельная нозология или одна из стадий развития рака?

Background. Over the past decades an increase in the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has been observed throughout the world owing to the improved diagnostics. There are many different opinions about the aggressiveness degree of this group of tumors, as well as about the tactics of managing patients with PTMC. Aim of the study is the identification of the prognostic factors responsible for the features of the clinical course, including the more aggressive one. Materials and methods. A study was carried out with a detailed analysis of a group of patients with papillary thyroid cancer ≤1 cm in size and the existing clinical data of regional and distant metastases. All patients underwent thyroidectomy with bilateral central cervical lymph node dissection. Factors such as gender, patient age, bilaterality, extrathyroid extension, the presence or absence of a capsule around the tumor node, the absence or presence of metastases in the central part were assessed. In 26.6% histological examination revealed metastatic lesions of the central group lymph nodes. Latent metastases were detected in 24.2% of women and 43% of men, in 36.7% of patients <55 and in 14.3% of patients ≥ 55 years, in 29.5% with the absence of the node capsule and in 19.3% with encapsulated tumors, in 48.1% with multicentric growth and in 19.5% with a solitary neoplasm, in 21.7% with a tumor size ≤0.5 cm and in 27.9% with a node of 0.6–1 cm, in 24% with the absence of invasion of the thyroid capsule and in 31% with the presence of extrathyroid invasion, in 21% of patients with typical, in 26% with follicular and 43% with mixed papillary cancer. 95 patients received radioiodine therapy. No additional metastases were found in them. Results. When conducting univariate analysis, the main signs influencing the development of metastases in the central zone were age up to 55 years (p = 0.009, χ2 = 6.919) and multicentric neoplasm (p = 0.004, χ2 = 8.530); in multivariate analysis, similarly, age younger 55 years (p = 0.000, Exp B = 0.011, CI 95.0% 0.001–0.106) and multifocality (p = 0.027, Exp B = 2.686, CI 95.0% 1.119–6.448). Conclusion. PTMC is not a separate group or tumor morphotype, and the determination of treatment tactics for this group of patients should be based not only on the size of the tumor, but on the clinical and biological parameters of the tumor.

Nomogram to Assess the Risk of Central Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Clinical N0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo develop and validate an individualized risk prediction model for the need for central cervical lymph node dissection in patients with clinical N0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosed using ultrasound. MethodsUpon retrospective review, derivation and internal validation cohorts comprised 1585 consecutive patients with PTC treated from January 2017 to December 2019 at hospital A. The external validation cohort consisted of 406 consecutive patients treated at hospital B from January 2016 to June 2020. Independent risk factors for central cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) were determined through univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. An individualized risk prediction model was constructed and illustrated as a nomogram, which was internally and externally validated. ResultsThe following risk factors of CLNM were established: a solitary primary thyroid nodule’s diameter, shape, calcification, and capsular abutment-to-lesion perimeter ratio. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the risk prediction model for the internal and external validation cohorts were 0.921 and 0.923, respectively. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the nomogram-estimated probability of CLNM and the actual CLNM rates in the 3 cohorts. The decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram. ConclusionThis study developed and validated a model for predicting the risk of CLNM in individual patients with clinical N0 PTC, which should be an efficient tool for guiding clinical treatment.

Correlation between sonographic features and pathological findings of cervical lymph node metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the sonographic features and pathological findings of cervical lymph node metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). A total of 49 patients who had thyroid surgery and lateral or central cervical lymph node dissection from October to December 2019 in our hospital were selected. All the lymph nodes included in the dissection were examined by intraoperative ultrasound and were divided into 5 groups according to the sonographic characteristics (A: overall hyperechoic group; B: hypoechoic with punctate hyperechoic group; C: mass hyperechoic group; D: cystic degeneration group; E: hypoechoic group without punctate hyperecho). All samples were sent to the Pathology Department according to the area of origin and classified and numbered for comparative analysis of the microscopic pathology and the sonogram. A total of 120 suspicious metastatic lymph nodes were finally screened out by intraoperative ultrasound. The sonographic signs of these suspicious metastatic lymph nodes in the lateral and central regions of the neck were significantly different from the normal lymph nodes. Besides, the indicators including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of intraoperative ultrasound for detecting lateral and central lymph nodes were 89.04% vs. 82.98%, 93.83% vs. 80.00%, 90.97% vs. 81.10%, 92.86% vs. 70.91%, and 90.48% vs. 88.89%, respectively. The pathological features of metastatic lymph nodes were shown as follows: group A, diffuse distribution of follicular structure; group C, focal distribution of follicular structure; group B and E, atypical follicular epithelial cells with or without papillary structure. Necrosis and liquefaction were observed in group D. The relationship between sonographic features and follicular structure of metastatic lymph nodes are firmly related. A correct understanding of these features is practical to improve the diagnostic rate of conventional ultrasonography and reduce the incidences of misdiagnosis.

Sonographic Characteristics of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With Coexistent Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in the Preoperative Prediction of Central Lymph Node Metastasis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the sonographic characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) for predicting central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). One hundred thirty-three patients who underwent thyroidectomy and central cervical lymph node dissection for PTC with coexistent HT were retrospectively analyzed. All PTCs with HT were preoperatively evaluated by ultrasound (US) regarding their nodular number, size, component, shape, margin, echogenicity, calcification, capsule contact with protrusion, vascularity and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with PTCs with HT and CLNM more frequently had age ≤ 45 years, size > 10 mm, a wider than tall shape, microcalcification, hypo-enhancement and peak intensity index < 1 than those without CLNM (all p<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that size > 10 mm and CEUS hypo-enhancement were independent characteristics for the presence of CLNM. Our study indicated that preoperative US characteristics could offer help in predicting CLNM in PTCs with coexistent HT.

Role of intraoperative neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has a significant advantage in reducing the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury.MethodsPatients who underwent thyroid and parathyroid surgery from October 2012 to December 2017 at the Center for Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the IONM group and visualization alone group (VA group) according to whether IONM was used.ResultsIn total, 1696 nerves at risk of injury (IONM group, n = 1104; VA group, n = 592) were included in the analysis. Among the high-risk nerves, permanent damage occurred in no cases in the IONM group but in one case in the VA group. Because the higher proportion of central lymph node metastasis caused difficulties in central cervical lymph node dissection and identification of the RLN, the patients undergoing lateral cervical lymph node dissection in the VA group had a significantly higher risk of postoperative RLN injury (11.76% vs. 0.00%).ConclusionIONM technology has advantages in protection of the RLN, especially in high-risk nerves and patients with a high proportion of central lymph node metastasis who require central and lateral cervical lymph node dissection.

Application of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration combined with BRAF V600E mutation detection and ultrasound features in estimating central cervical lymph nodes metastasis of classic papillary thyroid cancer

Objective To explore the correlation of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(US-FNA) combined with BRAF V600E mutation detection and ultrasound features and central cervical lymph nodes metastasis of classic papillary thyroid cancer(PTC) for providing a reliable molecular basis for clinical preoperative evaluation of patients. Methods Ninty-three cases of patients collected from October 2017 to November 2018 in Gansu Province Hospital were enrolled, who underwent general ultrasonic examination TI-RADS ≥4a, the US-FNA highly suspicious of PTC, thyroid surgery including total thyroidectomy and central cervical lymph node dissection, with the postoperative pathologic results of classical PTC and whether the central cervical lymph node metastasis happened in the patients. Part of the specimen applied HE staining for cytological diagnosis, the other part of specimen was used real-time for detection of BRAF V600E gene mutation by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results Univariate analysis showed that the occurrence of cervical lymph node metastasis for classic PTC were significantly correlated with gender(χ2=10.303, P=0.002), BRAF V600E mutation(χ2=31.204, P=0.000) and extrathyroidal invasion(χ2=12.848, P=0.000). Multi-logistic regression analysis showed that BRAF V600E mutation(OR=13.324, 95%CI=4.058-43.744, P=0.000) and extrathyroidal invasion(OR=5.738, 95%CI=1.766-18.643, P=0.004) were the risk predictors of cervical lymph node metastasis of classic PTC. Gender(OR=0.385, 95%CI=0.112-1.324, P=0.130) was not the risk predictor. Conclusions US-FNA combined with BRAF V600E mutation and extrathyroidal invasion are the risk factors in predicting central cervical lymph node metastasis in classic PTC. Patients with these two risk factors should be elected to undergo prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection. Key words: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology; Papillary thyroid cancer, classic; Central cervical lymph node; Metastasis; BRAF V600E

Central neck lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer

Relevance. Papillary thyroid cancer is often associated with regional metastases to lymph nodes including those of the central adipose tissue of the neck and the deep jugular lymph nodes. Assessment of metastatic involvement of the paratracheal lymph nodes in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer T1 and T2 is known to often produce false negative results. Surgical procedures in this region are technically challenging and associated with a certain risk of complications. Therefore, prophylactic removal of the central adipose tissue prevents local cancer recurrence and further metastatic involvement of the regional lymph nodes; moreover, it contributes to proper disease staging and planning of further patient management. Study goal. Was to determine the optimal extent of surgery for papillary thyroid cancer. Materials and methods. Sixty patients who underwent surgical procedures for papillary thyroid cancer were enrolled in the study. The study was carried out at SBHI Moscow Clinical Scientific Center named after A.S. Loginov of Moscow City Department of Healthcare from 2015 to 2017. Results. Regional metastases to the lymph nodes of the central adipose tissue of the neck removed during prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection were revealed in 41.5% of cases. None of the patients demonstrated regional or distant metastases within 18 months of follow-up. Conclusions. Papillary thyroid cancer is associated with high incidence of regional metastases to the lymph nodes of the central adipose tissue of the neck, which necessitates central ipsilateral lymph node dissection simultaneously with thyroidectomy, which does not increase the postoperative complication rate.

Total Thyroidectomy Without Prophylactic Central Cervical Lymph Node Dissection: Is It Oncologically Safe in Patients with Early-Stage Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: The necessity and the benefits of prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection (PCLND) in clinically node negative patients with early-stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain controversial. Objective: to evaluate the safety of total thyroidectomy without PCLND in clinically node-negative early-stage PTC. Patients & Methods: 34 patients with T1 or T2 & N0 PTC were included in the study and submitted to total thyroidectomy without PCLND. Post-operatively, all patients received TSH suppression therapy & radio-active iodine (RAI) ablation. Any suspicious local neck recurrence during the follow up was confirmed cytologically and treated by RAI ablation. Results: The mean age was 42.1 years. 55.9% of patients were less than 45 years and 44.1% were 45 years old or more. Male to female ratio was 10:24. T1 was found in 14 cases & T2 in 20 cases. Total thyroidectomy was successfully done for all the cases. Central cervical lymph nodes sampling was done in 5 cases. Excised lymph nodes were found in 8 specimens; 5 cases with lymph node sampling (14.7%) and 3 cases (8.8%) with accidental lymph node excision during thyroidectomy. only 6 of these 8 patients (17.6%) showed positive metastasis (pN1). No recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was reported. In 12 patients (35.3%), temporary hypocalcemia was encountered. The mean follow up period was 34.6 months. There were 2 recurrences (5.9%); 1 in the central & 1 in the lateral neck compartment. All recurrences were treated by RAI ablation. No distant metastasis or mortality was reported. Conclusion: total thyroidectomy without PCLND in clinically node-negative early stage PTC is an excellent treatment option that gives adequate loco-regional control of the disease with low rate of surgical complications. Close follow up for longer periods is needed.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is rapidly increasing in incidence, but the mortality rate remains flat. Debate has arisen over the need to detect or treat most thyroid cancers early, given their favorable natural history. The appropriate extent of surgery for thyroid cancer is also controversial: some researchers advocate partial and others total thyroidectomy; some advocate prophylactic central cervical lymph node dissection, whereas others only rarely recommend lymphadenectomy. Although radioactive iodine is effective, its appropriate use and dosage remain controversial. In addition, molecular analysis of thyroid cancer is frequently used for diagnostic purposes involving preoperative fine-needle biopsy specimens as well as to define targetable pathways altered in the disease to guide clinical trials of drug therapy for advanced thyroid cancers.

Distant, Solitary Skeletal Muscle Metastasis in Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Metastases usually occur in regional lymph nodes or to lungs. Distant metastases to skeletal muscle are rare. Here, we report a patient with a solitary metastasis to skeletal muscle. A 31-year-old woman was found on routine physical examination to have a 1-cm nodule in the right thyroid lobe. The patient underwent endoscopic total thyroidectomy with central cervical lymph node dissection in April 2008. Pathological analysis showed a 1.5 × 0.9 cm PTC in the right thyroid lobe with extension into perithyroidal soft tissue and lymph node involvement (all six central lymph nodes examined were positive). After surgery, she received 100 mCi of radioactive iodine. Subsequently, the patient was found to have a lateral neck recurrence and, therefore, underwent right unilateral modified radical neck dissection followed by additional radioactive iodine ablation. In February 2010, her serum thyroglobulin was 19.4 ng/mL, but the neck ultrasound was negative. However, a fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography scan showed focal FDG uptake in the vastus medialis muscle of the right distal femur. A 0.9 × 0.5 cm, well-defined, whitish mass in the vastus medialis muscle was confirmed on histopathology to be metastatic PTC. Here, we report an adult woman who presented with a thyroid nodule that was noted to be PTC on histopathology after total thyroidectomy. Almost 2 years later, she was noted to have had focal FDG uptake consistent in the region of the right femur. A solitary metastasis of PTC in the right vastus medialis muscle was resected. A MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) search showed that this is only the third report of PTC with a distant, solitary skeletal muscle metastasis. Distant skeletal metastasis in PTC is very rare. Until the availability of FDG to detect skeletal metastasis of PTC, they may have been more difficult to discern.

Surgical treatment of thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer is usually of follicular cell origin, but medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) arises from the parafollicular or C-cells. The annual incidence of thyroid cancer varies from 3–7 per 100.000 population in Austria and constitutes 1.36 % of all malignant tumours. METHODS: The current surgical treatment of thyroid carcinoma is reviewed with respect to the endemic epidemiology. RESULTS: Four distinct histological types of follicular cell-derived cancers are recognized, approximately two-thirds are papillary, one-third is follicular, some are oxyphilic cancers and the anaplastic type has become rare lately. The first three types are summed up as differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs). MTC is rare and constitutes 6–7 % of thyroid cancers, of which approximately 75 % are sporadic and 25 % are hereditary. There are no prospective, randomised trials to determine the "optimal treatment" of the various thyroid carcinomas. The "failed TNM classification" in its sixth edition again demolished studies over a longer period, as the fifth and sixth editions were only five years apart and classification does not match. At least in endemic areas surgery should be more radical, as tumour biology seems to be more aggressive and the patients are mainly in the higher risk groups. Therefore total thyroidectomy is the operation of choice for pre- or intraoperatively diagnosed DTCs and MTCs. Less than radical surgery should only be performed for tumours smaller than 10 mm without obvious multicentricity. Central cervical lymph node dissection is mandatory in all operations with pre- or intraoperatively determined cancer. If there is evidence of clinical or pathological central lymph node metastases, an uni- or bilateral neck dissection should be accomplished. Only in patients with occult or incidentally found papillary carcinomas of less than 10 mm completion thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection can be omitted. CONCLUSIONS: As there are no controlled randomized studies, developing guidelines is difficult, especially as data from other parts of the world do not necessarily apply for endemic regions, such as Austria. It is generally agreed that patients with DTC and MTC should be treated by total thyroidectomy with adequate lymph node dissection. Patients can usually be discharged after 2 or 3 days after these procedures, and morbidity for RLNP and postoperative hypoparathyroidism is low when thyroidectomy is performed by an experienced thyroid surgeon. As age >45 years and increasing tumour size predict poor prognosis in DTCs, new means of diagnosis for earlier treatment are therefore necessary. Hereditary MTCs should only be treated in multidisciplinary study groups according to their genetic risk.