Lateral Neck Lymph Node Research Articles

The Effects of Hashimoto Thyroiditis on Lymph Node Metastases in Unifocal and Multifocal Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Chinese Cohort Study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for central and lateral neck lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (MPTC), particularly when associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT).A retrospective analysis of 763 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University between October 2011 and October 2014 was conducted. All patients had formal histological diagnoses of HT. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of neck lymph node metastases.Our study identified 277 PTC patients with HT and showed comparatively low rates of central lymph node metastases (CLNM) compared with the PTC patients without HT (37.2% versus 54.7%, P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in lateral lymph node metastases (LLNM) (P = 0.656). Neck lymph node metastases were histologically proven in 127 (45.8%) patients with PTC with HT, including 103 CLNM and 24 LLNM. There were no significant differences in LLNM between the MPTC-associated HT and classic MPTC cases; however, a significantly reduced risk of CLNM was observed in the MPTC-associated HT compared with the MPTC cases (35.7% versus 72.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, HT was identified as an independent alleviating factor for CLNM in all PTC patients (odds ratio, 0.369; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.261 to 0.521; P < 0.001) and in MPTC patients (odds ratio, 0.227; 95% CI, 0.126–0.406; P < 0.001). A cut-off of thyroid peroxidase antibody >140 IU/mL was established as the most sensitive and specific level for the prediction of MPTC based on receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Thyroid peroxidase antibody, age, tumor size, and multifocality exhibited the ability to predict CLNM in PTC with HT patients with an area under the curve of 81.1% based on a multivariate model.Hashimoto thyroiditis was associated with increased prevalences of multifocality and capsular invasion. In contrast, HT was associated with a reduced risk of CLNM in PTC and MPTC patients, which indicated a potential protective effect. We found that the prognostic prediction model was applicable for predicting multifocality and CLNM in PTC patients with HT.

Oral Presentation V

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND AIMS Some recent guidelines recommend unilateral thyroidectomy for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) sized &gt; 1 and &lt; 4 cm. The present study was designed to evaluate the proper extent of thyroidectomy for patients who have DTC sized &gt; 1 and &lt; 4 cm. METHODS From April 1967 to December 2011, a total of 16,065 DTC patients underwent thyroidectomy at Yonsei University Hospital. Among them, 5,427 (33.7%) patients were classified as having DTC &gt; 1 and &lt; 4 cm and were enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic features and prognostic results (disease-free and disease-specific survival rates) were analyzed by retrospective medical chart review. The mean follow-up duration was 57.3 ± 58.1 months. RESULTS In the subtypes of tumors, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was the most common cancer (96.9%) and follicular and poorly differentiated carcinoma comprised 2.7 and 0.1% respectively. The mean tumor size was 1.84 ± 0.74 cm. Patients had extrathyroidal extension (69.3%), multiplicity (35.0%), bilaterality (26.3%), central lymph node metastasis (35.8%), and lateral neck node metastases (20.2%). Of a total of 5,427 patients, 4,353 (80.2%) underwent total thyroidectomy and 1,043 (19.2%) patients underwent less- than-total thyroidectomy. The recurrence rates in total thyroidectomic and less-than-total thyroidectomic groups were 3.9 and 10.0% respectively. The less-than-total thyroidectomic group showed lower disease-free survival (DFS) rate (p= 0.039) and higher disease-specific survival (DSS) (p = 0.035) rate compared with the total thyroidectomic group. In multivariate analysis for DFS, tumor size, N stage, and the extent of thyroidectomy were independent risk factors. In multivariate analysis for DSS, age, gender, tumor size, and N and M stage were independent risk factors. CONCLUSION In patients with tumor size &gt; 1 and ≤ 4 cm, total thyroidectomy was beneficial in reducing recurrence. However, our study confirmed that risk factors for DSS were not the extent of thyroidectomy but traditional prognostic factors, such as older age, male sex, large tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis.

Intraoperative high-dose calcium stimulation test in patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma is highly accurate in predicting lateral neck metastases

Intraoperative measurement of calcitonin is not highly accurate in predicting the completeness of the operative resection after total thyroidectomy combined with central neck dissection (TT-CND) in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). We evaluated whether an intraoperative, high-dose calcium stimulation test (IO-CST) after TT-CND can predict lateral neck involvement. Eleven patients who underwent primary operation for sporadic MTC were included. High-dose (25 mg/kg) calcium gluconate was administered after TT-CND with calcitonin measured at 2, 5, and 10 minutes after the calcium gluconate infusion. There were 2 males and 9 females (mean age, 51 years; range, 18-88). Three patients showed lateral neck metastases. At a mean follow-up of 7.0 months (range, 2-10), 1 patient showed distant metastases and 1 a slightly increased calcitonin level. After IO-CST, serum calcitonin increased in all the 3 patients with lateral neck metastases, and it remained unchanged or decreased in the other patients without lateral neck metastases. Percent variation of serum calcitonin after IO-CST was 92% in patients with lateral neck metastases and -3.1 ± 4.9% in patients without lateral neck metastases. Calcitonin measurement after IO-CST in patients with sporadic MTC can be highly accurate in predicting lateral neck nodes involvement. These results could represent a stimulus toward the development of a quick calcitonin assay.

Recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral cervical node metastases: Predictive factors and operative management

Lateral neck lymph node (LN) metastases (N1b) have been identified as independent risk factors of recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study aimed to determine the predictive factors of recurrence in N1b PTC patients and to clarify the postoperative event patterns. All patients who underwent operation for N1b PTC between 1978 and 2012 were reviewed. The median follow-up period was 6.5 years. In total, 344 N1b patients were included. Twenty-four patients (7%) were lost to long-term follow-up. Among the remaining 320 patients, the mean (± SD) follow-up time was 8.9 ± 8.8 years (median, 6.5; range, 2-36.4). Eighty-two patients (26%) presented with lymph node recurrence (LR). Multivariate analyses showed that LN metastases with extracapsular extension and the LN ratio (ratio between the number of N1 and number of resected LN) in the lateral compartment were independent predictors of recurrent disease. The median time to reoperation was 19 months (range, 3-173), with 79% of reoperations occurring within 2 years after the initial thyroidectomy. Reoperations for LR (75 patients) were performed in 76% of the patients with a focused minimal access approach or selective LN dissection. After curative reoperative surgery for recurrence, complications occurred in 6 patients (8%), including a 1% permanent complication rate. Extranodal extension of LN metastases and the LN ratio in the lateral compartment are prognostic factors for recurrence. In most cases, reoperation for LR can be performed with a focused minimal access approach, with a low morbidity rate.

Thyroidectomy without lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck lymph node metastases and negative intraoperative frozen section.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with lateral neck metastasis according to their permanent pathology report but negative frozen section findings who did not undergo lateral neck dissection. Between September 2009 and December 2011, 575 patients at Gangnam Severance Hospital (Seoul, Korea) underwent frozen section analysis for a suspicious lateral neck lymph node. In 16 patients, the intraoperative findings were negative, but lateral neck metastasis was diagnosed on the basis of permanent pathology findings. The outcomes of these patients who underwent thyroidectomy but not lateral neck dissection were retrospectively investigated. One patient underwent a subsequent lateral neck dissection. After a mean (SD) follow-up period of 42.1 (8.5) months, none of the patients had distant metastasis. Total thyroidectomy with subsequent lateral neck dissection is not necessary in patients with PTC who are diagnosed with lateral neck metastasis according to their permanent pathology report but have negative intraoperative frozen section findings.

Feasibility of FDG-PET/CT for the initial diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer.

To assess the role of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) as a preoperative diagnostic tool in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). From 2011 to 2014, 197 patients with PTC (246 tumor foci in all) underwent FDG-PET. Among these patients, 46 underwent neck dissection for lateral neck metastasis. According to the FDG avidity of the tumor foci or lateral neck metastasis, factors associated with the prognostic value were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Among the 197 patients, 7 (3.6%) were incidentally found to have non-thyroid origin malignancy. Additionally, 63.0% (155/246) of PTC foci showed FDG uptake on PET/CT. Univariate analysis showed that the tumor size, the presence of extrathyroidal extension, BRAF mutation, and Hashimoto thyroiditis were associated with FDG avidity. However, except for pathological extrathyroidal extension, the other factors showed statistically significant correlations with FDG avidity (p<0.001, p=0.008, and p=0.009, respectively). FDG uptake in lateral neck node metastasis showed high specificity and negative predictive value (NPV). In four cases of nonspecific findings on ultrasonography (USG)/CT, FDG avidity was helpful to diagnose the presence of lateral neck metastasis. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of PET/CT was correlated with the maximum diameter of the involved lateral node. FDG avidity did not show any significance in the recurrence-free survival of both the thyroid tumor and lateral neck metastasis. The FDG avidity of PTC did not show prognostic predictive meaning. However, in the case of lateral neck metastasis, FDG avidity showed high sensitivity and NPV, and could provide better information in cases of nonspecific findings on USG and CT.

Predictive factors of contralateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis in unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma

BackgroundMost of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasize to ipsilateral paratracheal lymph nodes (LNs) while some had contralateral paratracheal LN involved. The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive factors of contralateral paratracheal LN metastasis in unilateral PTC. MethodsData on 332 patients with unilateral PTC who underwent total/near total thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection (CND) with/without lateral neck dissection were collected retrospectively. Patients' demographics, the extent of surgeries, and the pathological status of LNs and primary tumor were analyzed. ResultsA total of 332 patients (67 male and 265 female) were included. Contralateral paratracheal LN metastasis was found in 68 (68/332, 20.5%) patients. Tumor size (>1 cm) (P < .001), capsular/extracapsular invasion (P < .001), pretracheal/prelaryngeal LN metastasis (P < .001), lateral neck LN metastasis (P < .001) and ipsilateral paratracheal LN metastasis (P < .001) was significantly associated with contralateral paratracheal LN metastasis on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size (>1 cm) (P = .013), capsular/extracapsular invasion (P = .009), pretracheal/prelaryngeal LN metastasis (P = .021) and lateral neck LN metastasis (P = .002) were independent risk factors of contralateral paratracheal LN metastasis. ConclusionPrimary tumor size >1 cm, capsular/extracapsular invasion, pretracheal/prelaryngeal LN metastasis and lateral neck LN metastasis are predictive factors of contralateral paratracheal LN metastasis in unilateral PTC, which may help to determine the optimal extent of CND in patients with PTC.

Risk Factors for Re-recurrence After First Reoperative Surgery for Locoregional Recurrent/Persistent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is generally an indolent tumor indicative of favorable prognosis. However, post-treatment recurrences may be problematic, and management strategies for recurrent disease have not been established. This study investigated risk factors associated with re-recurrence of PTC after reoperative surgery. This study included 151 patients with pathologically confirmed recurrent/persistent PTC who underwent reoperation. Clinical factors, operative and pathologic findings, serum thyroglobulin levels, postoperative complications, and recurrences were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with re-recurrence-free survival (RFS) after reoperative surgery. Recurrent tumors were found in thyroid remnants or previous resection bed (n=28), central nodes (n=48), and lateral neck nodes (n=102). Biochemical complete remission (stimulated thyroglobulin<1 ng/mL) was achieved in 69 (51.5%) patients after reoperative surgery. Permanent vocal fold paralysis and hypoparathyroidism developed in 6 (4.1%) and 4 (2.8%) patients, respectively. Vocal fold paralysis occurred primarily due to intentional nerve resection following tumor invasion. During a median follow-up of 57.5 months, 41 (27.2%) patients had re-recurrences. Univariate analyses showed that extranodal extension (p=0.028), recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion (p=0.037), as well as stimulated (p=0.001) and unstimulated (p=0.015) serum thyroglobulin were significant predictors of RFS. Multivariate analyses showed that postoperative biochemical remission independently predicted RFS (p=0.014). Postoperative thyroglobulin after reoperative surgery predicted re-recurrence. Careful follow-up of these patients after reoperation is recommended.

Papiller tiroid kanserinde santral ve lateral lenf nodu metastazı gelişimine etkili klinikopatolojik faktörler

Objective: Regional lymph node metastases are common in papillary thyroid cancer. In this study we aimed to evaluate the factors affecting central and lateral neck lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Material and Method: The clinical and pathological findings of 32 patients with papillary thyroid cancer who had undergone total thyroidectomy plus central and lateral compartment dissection were retrospectively analyzed between March 2012 and December 2013. The affect of age, gender, T stage, extrathyroidal extension, multifocality and lymphovascular invasion on central and lateral lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Results: 12 of patients underwent total thyroidectomy and unilateral central neck dissection, 20 of patients underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection. 12 of them underwent additional therapeutic unilateral lateral neck dissection. T stage was T1:23, T2:6, T3:3. In twenty patients (62.5%) lymphovascular invasion, in 22 patients (68.5%) multifocality, in 16 patients (50%) extrathyroidal extension were identified. Central lymph node metastasis on 19 of 32 patients (59.4%) and lateral metastasis on 9 of 32 patients (28.1%) were identified. Central neck lymph node metastases were significantly higher in patients with extrathyroidal extention (p

Lateral Neck Lymph Node Characteristics Prognostic of Outcome in Patients with Clinically Evident N1b Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

To identify lateral lymph node (LN) characteristics predictive of outcome in papillary thyroid cancer patients with clinically evident nodal disease. A total of 438 patients with lateral neck metastases from papillary thyroid cancer were identified from an institutional database of 3,664 differentiated thyroid cancers. The number of positive LNs, size of the largest LN, number of positive LNs to total number of LNs removed (LN burden), and presence of extranodal spread (ENS) were recorded. Cutoffs for continuous variables were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. LN variables predictive of recurrence free survival and disease-specific survival (DSS) were identified by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model. The median age was 41 years (range 5-86 years). The median follow-up was 65 months (range 1-332 months). Fifty-nine patients developed disease recurrence; these were local in five, regional in 40, and distant in 30 patients. Fifteen patients died of disease. Receiver operating characteristic cutoffs were >10 positive LNs and a LN burden >17 %. No lateral LN characteristics were predictive of DSS. In patients <45 years old, univariate predictors of recurrence were >10 positive nodes (p = 0.049) and LN burden >17 % (p < 0.001). In patients ≥45 years old, >10 positive nodes, LN burden >17 %, and presence of ENS were predictive of recurrence (p = 0.019, p = 0.019, and p = 0.029, respectively). LN burden >17 % (1 positive LN in 6 LNs removed) in the lateral neck is predictive for recurrence in patients of all ages, whereas ENS is also prognostic for recurrence in older patients.

The Clinical Significance of the Right Para-Oesophageal Lymph Nodes in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

PurposeAlthough guidelines indicate that routine dissection of the central lymph nodes in patients with thyroid carcinoma should include the right para-oesophageal lymph nodes (RPELNs), located between the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and the cervical oesophagus and posterior to the former, RPELN dissection is often omitted due to high risk of injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the right inferior parathyroid gland.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively identified all patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection, including the RPELNs, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013 at the Thyroid Cancer Center of Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.ResultsOf 5556 patients, 148 were positive for RPELN metastasis; of the latter, 91 had primary tumours greater than 1 cm (p<0.001). Extrathyroidal extension by the primary tumour (81.8%; p<0.001), bilaterality, and multifocality were more common in patients with than without RPELN metastasis; however, there were no significant differences in age and sex between groups. A total of 95.9% of patients with RPELN metastasis had central node (except right para-oesophageal lymph node) metastasis, and the incidence of lateral neck node metastasis was significantly higher in patients with than without RPELN metastasis (63.5% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001). Forty-one patients underwent mediastinal dissection, with 11 patients confirmed as having mediastinal lymph node metastasis with RPELN metastasis on pathological examination.ConclusionRPELN metastasis is significantly associated with lateral neck and mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

Bilateral central lymph node dissection with thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer

Objectives The aims of the study were to evaluate the frequency and pattern of central neck lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer and its relation to the lateral neck lymph node metastasis. Also, this study aimed to evaluate the complications of central neck dissection. Background The indications and extent of central lymph node dissection (CLND) in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma remain controversial, and its therapeutic effect remains debatable. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer were treated from 2011 to 2013. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection. In patients with positive central lymph node metastases in frozen section, we performed ipsilateral lateral lymph node dissection removing levels II to V. Central lymph node metastases were analyzed. In addition, we investigated postoperative complications after total thyroidectomy and CLND. Results Among 30 patients, 12 (40%) had central lymph node metastases, with the ipsilateral paratracheal lymph nodes most commonly affected (40%). Of the 12 patients with positive central lymph node metastases, only two had positive lateral lymph node metastases. The frequency of temporary hypocalcemia, permanent hypocalcemia, and temporary vocal cord paralysis was 16.7, 6.7, and 6.7%, respectively. Conclusion CLND prevents nodal recurrence in the central compartment, which carries a high incidence of morbidity during surgery for recurrence. In addition, CLND, in good hands, does not contribute to the morbidity of total thyroidectomy (hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury). We propose that total thyroidectomy and bilateral CLND are the least-recommended surgical treatments. Also, in clinically negative lateral nodes, we conclude that lateral lymph node dissection is not important even if central lymph nodes were positive for metastases.

Overcoming the limitations of fine needle aspiration biopsy: detection of lateral neck node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PurposeUltrasound (US) and US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) are considered the modalities of choice for assessing lymph nodes suspected of containing metastases, but the sensitivity of FNAB varies and is specific to the operator. We analyzed the risk of FNAB providing false negative results of lateral neck node metastasis, and evaluated diagnostic accuracy of FNAB, in patients with papillary thyroid cancer.Materials and MethodsFNAB was performed in 242 patients suspected of having lateral neck node metastasis on preoperative imaging. Thyroglobulin in the fine-needle aspirate washout (FNA wash-out Tg) and computed tomography enhancement (Hounsfield units) were measured. Patients with negative results on FNAB were examined by intraoperative frozen section. The false negative and true negative groups were compared.ResultsOf the 242 patients, 130 were confirmed as having lateral neck node metastases. In 74 patients, the metastasis was identified by FNAB. False positive results were observed in 2 patients (0.8%) and false negatives in 58 (44.6%). Risk analysis showed that patient age <45 years (p=0.006), tumor size >1 cm (p=0.008) and elevated FNA wash-out Tg (p=0.004) were significantly associated with false negative results on FNAB. The accuracy of FNAB increased significantly when combined with FNA wash-out Tg (p=0.003).ConclusionTo reduce the false negative rate of FNAB, patient age (<45 years), tumor size (>1 cm) and FNA wash-out Tg (>34.8 ng/mL) should be considered in preoperative planning. Accuracy may be improved by combining the results of FNAB and FNA wash-out Tg.

EP166 A retrospective study on the investigation of upper tract transitional cell carcinomas – are we detecting enough cases?

Background: The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is the most common histologic subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). But The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is difficult to diagnose due to pathologic features. There is also debate on the optimal extent of surgery. We separated FVPTC into two groups and compared the clinical features in an attempt to apply the treatment. Methods: All 121 patients with FVPTC who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2009 were reviewed and separated into two groups, an encapsulated group and an infiltrative group, based on whether a capsule was formed or infiltration occurred. These two different subtypes of FVPTC were compared on the traits of sensitivity of diagnosis and clinicopathologic features. Results: After review by a pathologist, 82 of 121 patients (67.8%) were found to have encapsulated tumors, and 39 patients (32.2%) had infiltrative tumors. There was no difference in age, sex, T stage, multicentricity. Patients with infiltrative FVPTC had a significantly higher rate of tumor size (p 1⁄4 0.004), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), lateral neck node metastasis(p < 0.001), TNM stage(p 1⁄4 0.004), lymphovascular invasion(p 1⁄4 0.029), thyroid capsular invasion (p < 0.001), and preoperative serum triiodothyronine (T3) level (p 1⁄4 0.025) compared with the encapsulated tumor group. There was no difference in FNA sensitivity and recurrence rate between the two groups. Conclusion: FVPTC can be separated into two subgroups by histologic features, and there are some clinicopathologic differences between the two groups. Patients who had infiltrative FVPTC had a higher rate of lymph node metastasis, lateral neck node metastasis, TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion, thyroid capsular invasion, and preoperative serum triiodothyronine (T3) level. It is suggested that the encapsulated group can be treated with limited surgery and the infiltrative group needs aggressive treatment. No conflict of interest.

475. Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A comparative study on clinicopathologic features according to capsulation

Background: The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is the most common histologic subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). But The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is difficult to diagnose due to pathologic features. There is also debate on the optimal extent of surgery. We separated FVPTC into two groups and compared the clinical features in an attempt to apply the treatment. Methods: All 121 patients with FVPTC who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2009 were reviewed and separated into two groups, an encapsulated group and an infiltrative group, based on whether a capsule was formed or infiltration occurred. These two different subtypes of FVPTC were compared on the traits of sensitivity of diagnosis and clinicopathologic features. Results: After review by a pathologist, 82 of 121 patients (67.8%) were found to have encapsulated tumors, and 39 patients (32.2%) had infiltrative tumors. There was no difference in age, sex, T stage, multicentricity. Patients with infiltrative FVPTC had a significantly higher rate of tumor size (p 1⁄4 0.004), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), lateral neck node metastasis(p < 0.001), TNM stage(p 1⁄4 0.004), lymphovascular invasion(p 1⁄4 0.029), thyroid capsular invasion (p < 0.001), and preoperative serum triiodothyronine (T3) level (p 1⁄4 0.025) compared with the encapsulated tumor group. There was no difference in FNA sensitivity and recurrence rate between the two groups. Conclusion: FVPTC can be separated into two subgroups by histologic features, and there are some clinicopathologic differences between the two groups. Patients who had infiltrative FVPTC had a higher rate of lymph node metastasis, lateral neck node metastasis, TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion, thyroid capsular invasion, and preoperative serum triiodothyronine (T3) level. It is suggested that the encapsulated group can be treated with limited surgery and the infiltrative group needs aggressive treatment. No conflict of interest.

Robotic total thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection via unilateral retroauricular approach.

Background Traditionally, total thyroidectomy was performed through an open transcervical incision; in cases where there was evident nodal metastasis, the conventional surgical approach was to extend the incision into a large single transverse incision to complete the required neck dissection. However, recent innovation in the surgical technique of thyroidectomy has offered the opportunity to reduce the patient’s burden from these prominent surgical scars in the neck. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed and applied by many institutions worldwide, and more recently, various techniques of remote access surgery have been suggested and actively applied.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Since the advent of robotic surgical systems, some have adopted the concept of remote access surgery into developing various robotic thyroidectomy techniques. The more former and widely acknowledged robotic thyroidectomy technique uses a transaxillary (TA) approach, which has been developed by Chung et al. in Korea.7,8 This particular technique has some limitations in the sense that accessing the lymph nodes of the central compartment is troublesome. Terris et al. realized some shortcomings of robotic TA thyroidectomy, especially in their patients in the United States, and developed and reported the feasibility of robotic facelift thyroidectomy.9, 10, 11, 12, 13 In cases of thyroid carcinomas with lateral neck node metastases, most abandoned the concept of minimally invasive or remote access surgery and safely adopted conventional open surgical methods to remove the tumor burden. However, Chung et al. have attempted to perform concomitant modified radical neck dissection (MRND) after robotic thyroidectomy through the same TA port.14 This type of robot-assisted neck dissection (RAND) had some inherent limitations, due to fact that lymph nodes of the upper neck were difficult to remove. Over the past few years, we have developed a RAND via modified facelift (MFL) or retroauricular (RA) approach and reported the feasibility and safety of this technique.15, 16 Since then, we have actively applied such RAND techniques in various head and neck cancers. In our country, almost all cases of robotic total thyroidectomy utilize the TA approach. According to the reports made by Terris et al., robotic facelift thyroidectomy technique has been solely applied for ipsilateral hemithyroidectomy. For total thyroidectomy, Terris et al. performed the robotic surgery with bilateral RA incisions. Here, we intend to introduce our novel surgical method after successfully attempting simultaneous robotic total thyroidectomy and RAND via a single RA approach without an axillary incision. To our knowledge, this is the first to report in the medical literature.

Sentinel node mapping in papillary thyroid carcinoma using combined radiotracer and blue dye methods.

In the current study, we evaluated the accuracy of sentinel node mapping in thyroid cancer patients using both radiotracer and blue dye. 30 patients with a diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were included in the study; 2-3 hours before surgery, 0.5 mCi 99m-Tc-Antimony Sulfide Colloid was injected intra-tumourally. 15 minutes post-injection, lymphoscintigraphy images of the neck were obtained. Immediately after anaesthesia induction, 0.5 mL patent blue V was also injected in the same fashion. Sentinel lymph nodes were detected intraoperatively using gamma probe and blue dye. Total thyroidectomy was performed for all patients with dissection of central neck lymph nodes as well as sampling of the lateral neck lymph nodes. At least one sentinel node could be identified during surgery in 19 patients (63.3%). The median number of sentinel nodes per patient was 1. Sentinel nodes in 12 patients were pathologically involved. No false negative case was noted. Upstaging occurred in six patients (20%). Sentinel node mapping in papillary thyroid carcinoma is a feasible technique with high accuracy for the detection of lymph node involvement. This technique can guide surgeons to perform central lymph node dissection only in patients with pathologically involved sentinel nodes. Although SLN detection in the lateral neck lymph nodes increases the extension of lymphadenectomy, SLN mapping can result in upstaging in older patients (> 45 years of age) or treatment plan change in younger patients (< 45 years of age) by the detection of lateral lymph node involvement.

Surgical management of retropharyngeal nodes metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) often metastasizes to the central and lateral neck lymph nodes, but rarely affects retropharyngeal nodes (RPN). We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients (three men, nine women) with PTC who underwent dissection of RPN metastases between 1994 and 2012. Mean age at dissection was 65 years (range 23-77). Dissection was performed with the initial surgery for PTC in eight patients, while the remaining four patients underwent dissection as secondary surgery. RPN metastases arose from an ipsilateral primary in nine patients, bilateral in two, and contralateral in one, with primaries located at the superior pole of the thyroid lobe in nine patients. All patients showed simultaneous or previous lymph node metastases in the upper jugular chain. A transcervical approach was applied for RPN dissection in 11 patients, while a transcervical-transparotid approach was applied in the remaining patient. No patients needed mandibulotomy or showed severe complications. Median duration of follow-up after RPN dissection was 48 months (range 3-206). No recurrences in the retropharyngeal space were identified. Two patients died of the disease, one died from other carcinoma, and five survived with distant metastases from PTC. The remaining four patients remain free of the disease as at the time of writing. If lymph node metastases are identified in the upper jugular chain, the possibility of RPN metastases should be checked. Most RPN metastases from PTC can be dissected safely without mandibulotomy. In particular, low-risk patients can expect favorable outcomes.

Preoperative neck ultrasound in clinical node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer.

The impact of preoperative neck ultrasound (US) on management of the lateral neck in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of preoperative neck US on the rate of lateral neck dissection in clinical N0 neck and initial response to therapy. An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of 890 patients that had thyroid surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer between 2009 and 2010 was performed at our institution. Patients with palpable neck disease, distant metastases, less than total thyroidectomy, no postoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) determinations, and positive Tg antibodies were excluded, leaving 465 patients available for analysis. Patients were divided into those who had a preoperative neck US to evaluate lateral neck nodes (n = 234) and those who did not (n = 231). Patient and tumor characteristics were compared using the χ(2) test. The primary end point was response to therapy, defined by postoperative US and Tg levels. There were no significant differences in age, histology, T stage, postoperative radioactive iodine dose, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, American Thyroid Association risk category, or duration of follow up between the 2 groups. Patients with preoperative neck US were more likely to have lateral neck dissection compared with patients without preoperative neck US [n = 31 (13.2%) vs n = 2 (0.9%); P < .001]. Preoperative neck US resulted in a better response to therapy (P = 0.005), a greater likelihood of no evidence of disease, and a smaller likelihood of having a biochemical or structural incomplete response or a return for delayed neck dissection. The preoperative US group also resulted in fewer recurrences; 10 patients from the no preoperative US group returned to the operating room compared with two patients (4.3% vs 0.9%, P = .018) who had a preoperative neck US. Preoperative neck US detects more lateral neck disease, leading to an increase in lateral neck dissection with subsequent improvement in response to therapy and fewer return to the operating room for regional recurrence management.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) facilitated US in detecting lateral neck lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer patients: diagnosis value and enhancement patterns of malignant lymph nodes.

To examine the value of CEUS as a non-invasive tool in detecting lateral neck metastasis (LNM) and the enhancement patterns of malignant lymph nodes (LN) for thyroid cancer patients. Eighty-two consecutive patients, who underwent both preoperative non-enhanced US and CEUS examinations, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent lateral neck dissection (LND). Enhancement patterns of 102 collected LNs matching to CEUS findings were analyzed. CEUS detected LNM in 53 of 65 patients, showing a higher sensitivity and accuracy than that of conventional US (p = 0.109 and p = 0.154, respectively). Thirteen patients' surgical procedures were altered by CEUS findings, including nine true positive and four false positive cases. Five patients' surgical procedures were altered by conventional US findings, including two true positive and three false positive cases. Heterogeneous enhancement, perfusion defects, microcalcification, and centripetal/hybrid enhancement were all specific criteria for malignant LNs in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only heterogeneous enhancement and centripetal/hybrid enhancement were significantly related to LN metastasis (p = 0.000 and p = 0.037, respectively). CEUS may be a potential tool to facilitate conventional US in detecting LNM. Heterogeneous enhancement and centripetal/hybrid enhancement are useful criteria to distinguish between malignant and benign LNs. • CEUS findings facilitated conventional US in detecting LNM. • Heterogeneous, centripetal/hybrid enhancement, microcalcification and perfusion defects were specific criteria of malignant LNs. • Heterogeneous and centripetal/hybrid enhancement were significantly related to LN metastasis in multivariate analysis.