Value of ultrasound in detecting central compartment lymph node metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The value of ultrasound in detecting central compartment lymph node metastasis in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) is unclear. Prospective patients with WDTC attending a university-affiliated tertiary medical center between July 2010 and June 2011 underwent neck ultrasound for detection of central compartment lymph node metastases prior to surgery. Central lymph node dissection was performed during the initial surgery regardless of ultrasound findings. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative ultrasound in detecting central lymph node metastases were calculated according to the final histopathological results. Sixty-four patients met the study criteria. Twenty-four had pathologic central compartment lymph nodes according to preoperative ultrasound, 20 of which were confirmed by histological examination. One patient was found to have pathological central lymph nodes by histology which was not detected by US. Sensitivity of preoperative ultrasound was 95%, specificity 90%, and negative and positive predictive values 97 and 83%, respectively. Preoperative ultrasound may serve as an accurate and important tool for deciding the extent of surgery in WDTC.