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Cystic lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Edita Miseikyte-Kaubriene1, Mantas Trakymas, Albertas Ulys
1Department of Interventional Sonoscopy and Ultrasound Diagnostics, Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Santariskiu 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania. emkaubriene@yahoo.com
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|July 29, 2008
Summary
Ultrasound can suggest malignancy in cervical lymph nodes for papillary thyroid cancer recurrence. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is crucial for confirming suspicious lesions, including cystic ones.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma frequently metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes.
- Cervical ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy are key for detecting locoregional recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the ultrasound characteristics of lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma.
- To correlate ultrasound findings with cytopathological results.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-five ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies of regional lymph nodes were performed in patients with suspected thyroid cancer recurrence.
- Ultrasound examinations focused on nonpalpable lesions (short axis ≤1.5 cm).
Main Results:
- Of 75 biopsied lymph nodes, 93.3% were solid and 6.7% were cystic.
- Cytopathology revealed 36.0% malignant, 53.4% benign, 5.3% suspicious, and 5.3% noninformative results.
- All cystic metastases were confirmed as papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound appearance can suggest malignancy in cervical lymph nodes, aiding in targeted fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
- Cystic lymph node metastases are possible in papillary thyroid carcinoma and require biopsy for confirmation.
