Detecting the sentinel lymph node in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Nine patients with suspected thyroid carcinoma who were scheduled to undergo thyroidectomy underwent scintigraphic localization of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). On the day of surgery we injected 37 MBq technetium-99m nanocolloid intratumourally. Dynamic data up to 10 min followed by planar anterior and lateral oblique images up to 1 h after tracer administration were recorded. At surgery the primary tumour was excised first, then the SLNs were removed using a gamma probe. Four patients had papillary carcinoma, two follicular carcinoma, one an oncocytic tumour and two benign tumours. An SLN was identified in all four patients with papillary carcinoma. In the two patients with follicular carcinoma, SLN detection failed. Five patients had one radioactive node, one had three and one had four. In one patient, no SLN was visible with scintigraphic imaging but at surgery three SLNs could be clearly identified using the gamma probe after removal of the primary tumour. There were no false-negative findings. This initial study indicates that in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma detection of the SLN is possible, whereas the technique failed in two patients with follicular carcinoma. A study on a larger patient sample is now warranted.     

Lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma

The management of papillary thyroid carcinoma continues to evolve. Although the debate over the extent of thyroidectomy has largely faded, the role of elective neck dissection in the surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer has become a topic of contention. The current standard of care for patients with papillary thyroid cancer includes total thyroidectomy and a therapeutic lymph node dissection for patients presenting with clinically evident nodal disease. However, many surgeons advocate prophylactic central neck lymph node dissections in patients who present with no clinical or radiographic evidence of lymph node involvement. Proponents of prophylactic central compartment neck dissection argue that the incidence of central neck metastases is high and the sensitivity of preoperative ultrasound is low. Furthermore, central neck dissection advocates argue that clearing the central neck at the initial operation improves staging accuracy, assists in deciding on postoperative radioactive iodine treatment, and potentially avoids a higher-risk reoperative central neck dissection. Selective lateral neck dissections, as well as modified radical neck dissections, are accepted as necessary therapy in patients with clinically or radiographically positive lateral compartment disease. An essential component of any discussion on the extent of lymphadenectomy is whether patients derive any additional benefit from having a lymphadenectomy with total thyroidectomy and whether this can be done without significantly increasing the morbidity of the operation. Here we discuss the surgical options for approaching lymphadenectomy in patients presenting with papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

Cystic lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to illustrate and discuss the sonographic spectrum of surgically proven cystic nodal metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. By correlative evaluation of the sonographic imaging findings to gross pathology and histology, our purpose was to provide useful hints to differentiate cystic lymph node metastases from other benign cystic neck lesions such as branchial cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examinations of 74 patients (47 women, 27 men; mean age, 49 years) with 97 histologically confirmed cystic lymph nodes metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma were included in the study. The anatomic relationship of the nodes relative to the primary tumor was recorded, and all cystic nodes were qualitatively categorized as either simple (purely cystic) or complex (thickened outer wall, internal nodules, internal septations, and calcifications). All imaging findings were compared with gross pathologic specimens. RESULTS: Most of the cystic metastases were ipsilateral to the primary tumor (87.8%) and located in the mid or lower jugular chain (73.2%). In 14.9% of all patients, cystic lymph node metastases were the initial manifestation of disease. Only 6.2% of all lymph node metastases were purely cystic (all of these occurred in patients less than 35 years old). Of the 91 complex metastases, a thickened outer wall was present in 35.2% of patients, internal nodules in 42.9%, and internal septations in 57.1%. No calcifications were seen in the 91 complex metastases, and two or more findings were seen in 23.1%. All sonographic findings were verified by surgery. CONCLUSION: In most of the patients, cystic lymph node metastases are characterized sonographically by the presence of a thickened outer wall, internal echoes, internal nodularity, and septations. However, in younger patients, the lymph nodes might appear purely cystic, thereby mimicking branchial cysts and thus requiring biopsy for final diagnosis and therapy planning.     

Parapharyngeal lymph node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid cancer extends to lymphatic nodes in approximately 40% of cases. Node involvement often occurs in the internal jugular and recurrent laryngeal chain on the side of the lesion. To the authors' knowledge, only 4 cases with I-131 uptake in pharyngeal metastatic nodes have been reported previously in the literature. The authors report parapharyngeal node involvement demonstrated by I-131 scintigraphy in a patient with papillary thyroid cancer.     

The study of influence factors on 131I treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastases

ObjectiveThyroid carcinoma is the most common malignant endocrine tumor, which comprises 1% in all human tumors. As for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), lymph nodes are the most common metastatic site for which the major treatment is ¹³¹I therapy. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and analyze the influence factors on ¹³¹I treatment of DTC with lymph node metastases.MethodsCollecting clinical data of 66 DTC patients with lymph node metastases at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xin Hua Hospital from January 1996 to January 2006. Investigating the therapeutic effect firstly and then dividing 66 patients into an eliminated group and an uneliminated group according to the evaluation criteria of the therapeutic effect. Finally, observing the differences between the two groups. The significant differences in the following 10 influence factors were determined: gender, age, pathological type, the periods from the thyroidectomy to the first ¹³¹I therapy, when the metastases were found, the history of resection of the lymph node metastases, the uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG in the lymph node metastases, remnant thyroid, multiple metastases, and the cumulative dose of ¹³¹I. This retrospective study was analyzed by Student t test, χ² test, and Fisher's exact test.ResultsOf all 66 patients with lymph node metastatic DTC treated by ¹³¹I therapy, 31 patients (46.97%) had complete elimination. Twenty-seven patients were improved or controlled, and the overall effective rate reached 87.88%. The elimination rate of lymph node metastases in patients with resection was significantly higher than in those without resection (χ²=5.561, P=.018<0.05). The elimination rate of lymph node metastases in patients with ¹⁸F-FDG uptake was significantly higher than in those without ¹⁸F-FDG uptake (χ²=4.014, P=.045<.05). There was no significant difference in the elimination rate among the patients with various values in the other eight factors.Conclusions¹³¹I Therapy is an effective treatment of lymph node metastatic DTC. The history of resection of the lymph node metastases and the uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG in the lymph node metastases were the influence factors on the therapeutic effect, whereas the other eight factors were probably not.     

用 131I治疗不能切除的分化型甲状腺癌转移性淋巴结

目的　探讨1 31 I治疗不能手术切除的分化型甲状腺癌转移性淋巴结 (LMDTC)的治疗剂量和疗效。方法　对 2 4例分化型甲状腺癌术后不能手术切除的 84个LMDTC ,在 7 4～ 16 6 5GBq范围内选择不同剂量1 31 I治疗。分别于治疗后 1、3、6和 12个月随访观察LMDTC的状况。对≥ 2cm的LMDTC ,1 31 I治疗后视其变化确定再手术切除时间。结果　 84个不能手术切除的分化型LMDTC ,1 31 I治疗后有 78个分别消除、缩小和再次手术切除 ,有效率为 92 9% (78 84个 )。对 37个≥ 2cm的LMDTC1 31 I治疗后结合再手术治疗 ,切除病灶 16个 ,再切除率占 4 3 2 % (16 37个 )。与单纯用1 31 I治疗 <2cm的LMDTC的结果比较 ,差异有极显著性 (P <0 0 1)。1 31 I剂量为 3 7～ 12 95GBq时 ,各剂量组对LMDTC的疗效差异无显著性 (P均 >0 0 5 )。结论　大剂量1 31 I治疗分化型LMDTC有较好的疗效。     

Laparoscopic sentinel lymph node (SLN) versus extensive pelvic dissection for clinically localized prostate carcinoma

Purpose

Lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in prostate cancer (PC). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy by laparoscopy in staging locoregional patients with clinically localized PC.

Methods

A transrectal ultrasound-guided injection of 0.3?ml/100?MBq ^99mTc-sulphur rhenium colloid in each prostatic lobe was performed the day before surgery. Detection was performed intraoperatively with a laparoscopic probe (Gamma Sup CLERAD?) followed by extensive resection. SLN counts were performed in vivo and confirmed ex vivo. Histological analysis was performed by haematoxylin-phloxine-saffron staining, followed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) if the SLN was free of metastasis.

Results

The study included 93 patients with PC at intermediate or high risk of lymph node metastases. The intraoperative detection rate was 93.5% (87/93). Nineteen patients had lymph node metastases, nine only in SLN. The false-negative rate was 10.5% (2/19). The internal iliac region was the primary metastatic site (43.3%). Metastatic sentinel nodes in the common iliac region beyond the ureteral junction were present in 13.3%. Limited or standard lymph node resection would have ignored 73.2 and 56.6% of lymph node metastases, respectively.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy is suitable for broad identification of SLN metastasis, and targeted resection of these lymph nodes significantly limits the risk of extended surgical resection whilst maintaining the accuracy of the information.     

甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT表现

目的：评价甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT特点。方法：回顾性分析经手术及病理诊断的108例甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT表现。结果：108例中，颈上中深组淋巴结转移76例，颈下深组及锁骨上窝86例，气管食管沟52例，纵隔17例。84例乳头状癌中，16例淋巴结密度与正常甲状腺相似，24例有囊性变，其中18例淋巴结囊内有明显强化的乳头状结节，11例有细颗粒状钙化，24例滤泡癌，髓样癌，透明细胞癌中，17例淋巴结明显强化，17例与甲状腺原发或复发肿瘤密度一致，密度均匀或不均匀。结论：甲状腺癌转移淋巴结好发部位为颈静脉链周围，气管食管沟及纵隔；淋巴结明显强化，与正常甲状腺密度一致，囊性变，囊壁内明显强化的乳头状结节及细颗粒状钙化为甲状腺乳头状癌的特征性改变，淋巴结明显强化，与甲状腺肿瘤密度一致为滤泡癌，髓样癌，透明细胞癌转移淋巴结的特点。     

Gamma probe-guided resection and scanning with TC-99m MIBI of a local recurrence of follicular thyroid carcinoma

A 30-year-old woman underwent two operations for multinodular goiter and follicular thyroid carcinoma. The residual thyroid tissue was ablated by I-131 therapy. After 7 years of follow-up, Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scintigraphy were performed, because her serum thyroglobulin level was much higher compared with the control analysis performed in the sixth year. Tc-99m MIBI showed pathologic accumulation, which could be consistent with a local recurrence, whereas the results of I-131 scintigraphy were negative. The locally recurring follicular thyroid carcinoma was resected using a gamma probe and Tc-99m MIBI. The thyroglobulin level decreased to a normal level after surgery. This case shows that the intraoperative use of a gamma probe with Tc-99m MIBI allows localization of recurrent thyroid tissue in the scarred area in patients with increased radionuclide accumulation, and scanning of the affected area using the gamma probe may be helpful in determining whether resection is complete.     

Upper retropharyngeal node involvement in differentiated thyroid carcinoma demonstrated by 131I scintigraphy

We report four patients with papillary thyroid cancer who had upper retropharyngeal node involvement demonstrated by 131I scintigraphy. Three patients presented with a thyroid nodule and enlarged jugular nodes. Total thyroidectomy was performed with node dissection. Pathology demonstrated papillary carcinoma with several metastatic nodes. 131I scanning 4 weeks after surgery demonstrated increased uptake in an upper retropharyngeal node. In one patient, thyroidectomy had been performed 21 years previously. Increased thyroglobulin level led to 131I scanning, which showed focal retropharyngeal uptake. All four patients had asymmetrical uptake at mouth level with focal uptake close to the sagittal plane. A lateral projection showed focal uptake between the base of the skull and the mandibular angle, behind the region of the mouth and nose. CT in all cases and MRI in one case confirmed the presence of an enlarged node. The mass was removed surgically in two patients and pathology confirmed the papillary nature of the metastatic node. Two patients were treated by 131I. Focal uptake of 131I in the region of the mouth is ambiguous, since salivary uptake of 131I is a common finding on scintigraphy. In cases of asymmetrical uptake in the region of the mouth, a lateral projection of the head therefore allows the correct diagnosis.     

甲状腺乳头状癌术前颈部淋巴结转移超声诊断价值

目的探讨影响甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)颈部淋巴结转移及转移区域的相关因素。方法选取自2016年1月至2017年8月于北部战区总医院行甲状腺手术的223例PTC患者为研究对象。根据术后病理颈部淋巴结是否转移将其分为淋巴结转移阳性组(LN+组,n=99)与淋巴结转移阴性组(LN-组,n=124)。记录患者的临床资料,包括性别、年龄、实验室检查指标、是否合并桥本氏病、术后病理诊断资料,以及超声声像图特征。采用χ~2检验、Fisher精确概率法及二分类Logistic回归分析影响PTC颈部淋巴结转移及转移区域的危险因素。结果性别、是否合并桥本氏病、病灶大小及典型PTC的超声征象具有预测颈部淋巴结转移及转移区域的价值(P<0.05)。结论当患者为男性、不伴有桥本氏病,且病灶较大并具有典型PTC超声特征时,外科医师应警惕颈部淋巴结转移。PTC肿瘤位置影响淋巴结的转移区域。     

甲状腺乳头状癌淋巴结转移诊疗现状研究

甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）是甲状腺癌最常见的组织病理学类型,其淋巴结转移影响患者的预后。目前PTC的淋巴结转移机制尚不明确,其诊断方法包括超声、细针穿刺活检、CT、MRI、SPECT/CT、PET/CT等,但特异度及灵敏度均不高,联合使用可以提高检出率。PTC淋巴结转移首选的治疗方式是手术。目前PTC淋巴结转移早期综合诊断及有效治疗是改善和提高PTC患者生活质量的难点。笔者就PTC淋巴结转移的诊疗现状及研究进展进行综述。     

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: MR diagnosis of lymph node metastasis.

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of MR imaging in the diagnosis of nodal metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma and to establish the most indicative MR criteria of metastasis.METHODSPathologic records and MR images in 50 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were reviewed. Each neck was divided into four nodal levels, so that 200 nodal levels were assessed in all. The maximum of the minimum transverse diameters of the lymph nodes on each nodal level measured on MR images and the certainty of metastasis as determined by a head and neck radiologist on the basis of morphologic aspects were compared with the pathologic findings by using receiver operating characteristic curves. The presence or absence of cystic nodes on each nodal level was also evaluated.RESULTSMetastasis was found on 87 (44%) of the nodal levels in 34 (68%) of the patients. A cystic node was identified on 33 (17%) of the nodal levels in 13 (26%) of the patients and was seen only on positive nodal levels. Morphologic diagnosis by the radiologist was better than that obtained by measurement. With the combined criteria of a cystic node or a node of 13 mm or more for the maximum of the minimum transverse diameters, specificity was 100% with an 82% accuracy and always indicated metastasis (100% positive predictive value). However, 41% of the metastatic nodes were missed with this criterion (59% sensitivity).CONCLUSIONMR imaging was useful for diagnosing metastatic nodes; a nodal diameter threshold of 13 mm or the presence of a cystic node strongly indicated metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

Cervical lymph node metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma: CT findings

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy which spreads frequently to cervical lymph nodes. We report the CT findings of MTC metastatic cervical adenopathies in two patients with previously resected MTC. The CT scans showed calcifications (one patient) and massive homogeneous postcontrast nodal enhancement. Medullary thyroid carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of entities showing calcifications and intense homogeneous adenopathic enhancement on CT studies. Received 25 September 1995; Revision received 27 February 1996; Accepted 29 February 1996     

甲状腺乳头状癌及淋巴结转移的CT表现

目的:评价甲状腺乳头状癌及淋巴结转移的CT特点。方法:回顾性分析我院手术病理证实的53例甲状腺乳头状癌伴淋巴结转移的CT表现。结果:44例为单发病灶,9例呈多发病灶;25例单发病灶和9例多发病灶表现为边缘模糊;25例肿块内见有钙化,14例颗粒状钙化,5例乳头状钙化,6例不规则钙化。49例转移淋巴结边缘规则,另4例边缘模糊或呈融合趋势;转移淋巴结有明显钙化的25例(颗粒状钙化19例,乳头状钙化4例,不规则钙化2例);22例淋巴结有囊性变,13例囊壁内见有乳头状强化。结论:甲状腺体积增大,肿块呈浸润性生长,边界不清的伴有颗粒状钙化的,是诊断甲状腺乳头状癌的重要指征;若同时伴有颈部淋巴结囊性变、囊壁内乳头状结节及颗粒状钙化,是诊断甲状腺乳头状癌的最可靠征象。     

18F-FDG PET detection of lymph node metastases in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Postsurgically elevated or increasing serum calcitonin levels strongly suggest the presence of residual or recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Several imaging modalities (sonography, MRI, CT, scintigraphy with different types of radiolabeled ligands, etc.) are routinely used in an attempt to localize tumorous tissue, but such efforts often fail. In the search for a more reliable method, 18F-FDG PET was applied to detect tumor tissue of residual or recurrent MTC. METHODS: Forty patients with a postoperatively elevated plasma calcitonin level were included. These patients underwent routine diagnostic imaging procedures (CT, MRI, and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine [MIBG] whole-body planar scintigraphy or SPECT) and 18F-FDG PET examinations. Two independent experts visually analyzed the images provided by each method to detect pathologic lesions. Lymph nodes of > or = 1 cm in short diameter that were detected by radiologic methods were considered to be pathologic. 18F-FDG accumulation with a sharp contour reported by both independent observers was similarly regarded as pathologic. RESULTS: PET detected 270 foci with a high tracer accumulation, whereas only 116 lesions were detected by MRI and 141 by CT. The numbers of such foci determined by PET, MRI, and CT were 98, 34, and 34, respectively, in the neck; 25, 5, and 6, respectively, in the supraclavicular regions; and 117, 35, and 39, respectively, in the mediastinum. 131I-MIBG scintigraphy findings were positive for only 3 patients. CONCLUSION: For MTC patients with a postoperatively elevated plasma tumor marker level, PET was more sensitive and superior in localizing tumorous lymph node involvement than were the other imaging modalities, especially in the cervical, supraclavicular, and mediastinal lymphatic regions.     

cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌中央区淋巴结转移的危险因素分析

 目的 探讨cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌患者中央区淋巴结转移相关危险因素。方法 纳入北京协和医院行双侧中央区淋巴结清扫的cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌患者570例,回顾性分析患者术前甲状腺超声图像及临床病理资料特征,分析预测cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌中央区淋巴结转移相关危险因素。结果 570例cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌患者中发生中央区淋巴结转移282例,占49.5%;其中男性(OR=1.787, 95% CI:1.066-2.997, P=0.028)、年龄小于45岁(OR=2.063, 95% CI:1.366-3.115, P=0.001)、多发病灶(OR=1.764, 95% CI:1.134-2.743, P=0.012)、肿瘤直径＞1 cm(OR=1.844, 95% CI:1.201-2.831, P=0.005)、伴有微钙化(OR=1.965, 95% CI:1.296-2.979, P=0.001)且有被膜侵犯(OR=2.868, 95% CI:1.880-4.377, P=0.000)是中央区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。结论 对于男性、年龄小于45岁、多发病灶、肿瘤直径＞1 cm、伴有微钙化且有被膜侵犯的cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌应根据影像学及临床病理资料考虑采取积极的手术方式或更加密切的随访。     

基于弹性成像的列线图预测单发临床颈部淋巴结转移阴性甲状腺癌对侧中央淋巴结转移

目的:建立列线图预测模型于术前预测单发临床颈部淋巴结转移阴性（cN0）甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）患者存在对侧中央淋巴结转移（CLNM）的风险。方法:选择297例单发cN0 PTC患者为研究对象,其中训练队列205例,验证队列92例,训练队列患者根据术后对侧中央淋巴结病理结果进行分组。分析患者的一般临床资料、超声、剪切波弹性（SWE）结果与对侧CLNM的关系,利用多因素Logistic回归筛选对侧CLNM的独立影响因素,基于各个独立因素建立列线图模型以预测对侧CLNM的风险,并通过内部和外部验证评价列线图的应用价值。结果:训练队列中,年龄、肿瘤大小、与包膜的距离、存在钙化、杨氏模量（YM）值是单发cN0 PTC患者对侧CLNM的独立影响因素（P值均<0.05）。基于以上影响因素建立的列线图预测模型在内部验证中表现出良好的区分度[曲线下面积（AUC）=0.934]及校准度（χ²=5.263,P=0.729）,其在基于验证队列的外部验证中亦表现出良好的区分度（AUC=0.824）及校准度（χ²=7.252,P=0.384）。结论:基于临床特征、...