The feasibility of VI region lymph nodes metastasis status in prediction of lateral lymph nodes metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma with negative cervical lymph nodes

Objective To evaluate if Ⅵ region lymph nodes metastasis status can be a reliable indicator in prediction of lateral lymph nodes metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with negative cervical lymph nodes (cN0).Methods Retrospectively reviewed the medical records from January 2003 to October 2011 of 73 patients with PTC who underwent prophylactic lateral neck dissection (Ⅱ-Ⅴ region or Ⅱ-Ⅳ region).The relationship between cervical lymph nodes metastasis and lateral lymph nodes metastasis was assessed.Results The rate of lateral lymph nodes metastasis was 16.4％(12/73).The rate of Ⅵ region lymph nodes metastasis was 42.5％(31/73).Multivariate analysis showed that Ⅵ region lymph nodes metastasis was the risk factor of lateral lymph nodes metastasis in cN0 patients with PTC(OR =7.3,P=0.020).Conclusion Ⅵ region lymph nodes metastasis status can be a reliable indicator of lateral lymph nodes metastasis in cN0 patients with PTC. Key words: Thyroid neoplasms;  Lymphatic metastasis;  Neck dissection