Level IIb lymph node metastasis in neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the patterns of lateral cervical metastasis and the incidence of level IIb lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Academic medicine. PATIENTS: From March 1, 2000, to April 30, 2006, 46 consecutive patients (38 women and 8 men) with papillary thyroid carcinoma. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent 55 modified radical neck dissections for the management of lateral cervical metastasis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All patients had preoperative evidence of a metastatic cervical lymph node. All specimens were labeled and mapped by the operating surgeon to identify their levels. RESULTS: Among 55 specimens, 82% (45 specimens) exhibited nodal disease at multiple levels. The incidences of metastases at level II, III, IV, and V nodes were 60% (33 specimens), 82% (45 specimens), 75% (41 specimens), and 20% (11 specimens), respectively. Skip metastases were present at a low rate (6% [3 specimens]). Among 12 specimens (22%) with metastatic lymph nodes at level IIb, 92% (11 specimens) had disease at level IIa. The rate of level IIb lymph node involvement in patients with metastatic lymph nodes at level IIa was 34% (11 of 32). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor involvement at multiple nodal levels usually occurs when patients have lateral cervical lymph node metastasis. Neck dissection should include the level IIb lymph node whenever level IIa lymph node metastasis is found. Level IIb dissection is probably unnecessary when level IIa lymph nodes are uninvolved because the incidence of metastasis to level IIb is low if level IIa is not involved.     

分化型甲状腺癌Ⅵ区与Ⅱ-Ⅴ区淋巴转移的关系及预后

目的探讨分化型甲状腺癌Ⅵ区与颈侧区（Ⅱ-Ⅴ）区颈淋巴转移的特点，为临床选择正确术式提供依据。方法回顾性分析1984年3月至2000年12月，99例甲状腺癌患者在辽宁省肿瘤医院头颈外科进行初次手术，同期行颈清扫术，进行病理检查，术后随访，并对结果进行统计分析。结果99例分化型甲状腺癌中，乳头状甲状腺癌61例（双侧乳头状甲状腺癌1例），乳头滤泡混合型13例，滤泡状甲状腺癌25例。根据2002年UICCTNM分期：Ⅰ期60例，Ⅱ期1例，Ⅲ期5例，Ⅳ期33例。一侧腺叶及峡部切除80例，一侧腺叶及对侧大部或次全切除15例，全甲状腺切除术4例。全部患者同期颈清扫术104侧（双颈清扫5例），其中经典性清扫66例（68侧），改良性清扫33例（36侧）。术后病理检查淋巴结阳性83例（86侧），其中3例双侧淋巴结阳性，颈淋巴转移率为83．8％（83／99）。VI区阳性率37．5％（39／104），颈侧区（Ⅱ-Ⅴ区）阳性率76．9％（80／104），VI区和颈侧区淋巴结阳性率比较，差异有统计学意义（配对X^2检验，X^2=33．01，P〈0．01）。统计分析表明颈侧区淋巴转移和Ⅵ区淋巴转移无相关性（独立X。检验，X^2=2．08，Pearson列联系数C=0．14，P〉0．05）。10年、15年生存率分别为88．3％和84．5％。结论分化型甲状腺癌Ⅵ区与颈侧区（Ⅱ-Ⅴ区）淋巴转移率不同。不能仅从Ⅵ区转移判断颈侧区是否有转移。发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移的患者不比颈侧区（Ⅱ-Ⅴ区）淋巴转移的预后差，经过正确的外科治疗，预后较好。     

Clinical study on papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with lymph node metastasi

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) may metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. It is, however, uncommon for a palpable neck node alone to lead to the diagnosis of this disease when it is not apparent at presentation. Standard treatment for such cases has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed clinical courses in 8 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting with palpable lymph node metastasis at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1990 and 2003. Three had high thyrogloblin in cervical cystic lesions, leading to the diagnosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis. In 4, PTC was diagnosed by pathological examination of cervical lymph nodes initially diagnosed as lateral cervical cysts. Preoperative examination did not indicate PTC within the gland in any case. All 8 were alive at the last visit after follow-up from 23 to 150 months (mean: 78 months). Total thyroidectomy was done on 4 and thyroid lobectomy on 3. Pathological examination of resected thyroid glands confirmed multifocal papillary carcinoma from 4 mm to 15 mm in diameter. Six underwent unilateral neck dissection and 1 chose bilateral dissection. The other patient received no additional surgery on either the thyroid or neck after the single enlarged lymph node initially diagnosed as a lateral cervical cyst was resected. Postoperative radioiodine treatment was done in 2 undergoing total thyroidectomy. Recurrence in the cervical area were observed in 1 whose neck dissection was insufficient. Based on these observations, we concluded that patients who undergo thyroid lobectomy and adequate neck dissection may enjoy longer survival than those treated with total thyroidectomy without sacrificing thyroid and parathyroid function. We therefore propose a prospective study on the effectiveness of thyroid lobectomy with neck dissection including positive nodes in patients with occult PTC presenting with lymph node metastasis.     

甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO患者颈部淋巴结转移规律

目的 探讨甲状腺乳头状癌临床NO( clinical NO,cN0)患者颈部淋巴结转移规律和外科处理方式.方法 前瞻性研究2007年8月至2010年9月51例甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者.术前采用核素法和染料法定位前哨淋巴结,并行术中冰冻病理检查,与术后颈清扫标本常规病理进行对照.记录51例患者53侧颈部淋巴结清扫转移淋巴结的数量及在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的分布情况.研究患者年龄、肿瘤多中心病灶、被膜外侵、肿瘤大小、中央区淋巴转移数目与颈侧区淋巴转移的关系,影响颈侧区淋巴转移率单因素差异比较采用x2检验,Logistic模型进行多因素分析.结果 颈部淋巴结隐匿性转移率77.4％ (41/53),颈侧隐匿性转移率58.5％(31/53),中央区淋巴转移≥3枚是颈侧区淋巴转移的独立危险因素.pNO 12侧,pN+41侧,17侧仅有1个分区转移,占pN+的41.5％( 17/41);2个或2个以上分区转移24侧,占pN+的58.5％( 24/41).转移淋巴结分布以Ⅵ区最常见,为62.3％(33/53),其次为Ⅲ区52.8％(28/53),Ⅳ区30.2％(16/53),Ⅱ区18.9％(10/53),Ⅴ区0％ (0/53).结论 甲状腺乳头状癌cNO患者隐匿性淋巴结转移以多区转移为主,Ⅵ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅱ区常见.中央区淋巴转移≥3枚较易出现颈侧淋巴转移,对cNO患者选择性清扫Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区能清除大部分存在的颈部隐匿性转移淋巴结.     

Level IIb lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma

The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of level IIb lymph node metastases in neck dissections for thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) patients. 47 neck dissections of 33 patients with TPC were prospectively evaluated. Selective neck dissections (levels II, III, IV, and V) were performed in all cases. If level I lymph node metastasis was suspected during the procedure, level I dissection was also performed. All level IIb specimens were sent separately from the remainder of the neck dissection for the pathological examination. The number of dissected and metastatic lymph nodes in each specimen was recorded. Twenty-two of 47 neck dissections (46.8%) were positive for the lymph node metastasis. Among 47 neck dissection specimens, the incidence of lymph node metastasis at level II was 12.7% (6 of 47) and level IIb was 2.1% (1 of 47). The rate of level IIb lymph node involvement among patients with metastatic cervical lymph nodes was 4.5% (1 of 22). The specimen with metastatic lymph node at level IIb had also metastasis at levels IIa, III, IV, and V. The results of the present study suggested that lymph node metastases in level IIb are rare in patients with TPC undergoing neck dissection.     

分化型甲状腺癌的颈淋巴转移规律

目的探讨分化型甲状腺癌颈部淋巴转移的规律及临床阳性淋巴结（cN＋）的颈部治疗模式；评价术前彩超在诊断甲状腺癌颈转移中的作用。方法回顾性分析我院2003年7月-2005年7月诊治93例（113侧）cN＋分化型甲状腺癌患者的临床资料，分为术前颈部淋巴结触诊阳性患者（64侧）和术前颈部触诊阴性，彩超诊断为颈淋巴转移患者（49侧）两组。记录术后颈清扫标本中转移淋巴结的数量及在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的分布。结果93例患者中双侧颈转移占21．5％（20／93），113侧颈清扫标本中92侧（81．4％）为多分区转移；转移淋巴结在颈部的分布以Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区为主，分别为60．2％（68／113）、70．8％（80／113）、61．9％（70／113）、58．4％（66／113）；Ⅴ区较少分布22．1％（25／113），差异有统计学意义（χ^2=64．597，P〈0．001）。颈部触诊阳性患者颈清扫标本中转移淋巴结数量（10．1个），多于颈触诊阴性、彩超检查阳性患者（6．9个）；淋巴转移区域也多于后者（3．18区与2．61区）；术前彩超检查可以发现43．4％（49／113）的颈部触诊漏诊的颈部淋巴转移。结论分化型甲状腺癌的颈部淋巴转移为多分区分布，Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区为主要的转移部位；彩超在甲状腺癌颈淋巴转移的诊断中具有重要的价值；对cN＋的分化型甲状腺癌患者，应进行包括Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫术。     

影像学评估结合纳米碳在甲状腺癌淋巴结处理中的作用

目的：探讨术前影像学评估结合术中应用纳米碳在甲状腺癌淋巴结处理中的作用。方法：收集81例初治的甲状腺癌患者的临床资料,分为实验组（42例）和对照组（39例）。根据术前彩超结合增强CT评估及病理检查结果,分别行中央区清扫及择区性Ⅲ、Ⅳ区清扫或侧颈区清扫。实验组在甲状腺注入纳米碳,分别计数3种清扫方式的淋巴结总数、转移数、黑染数及黑染转移数,对照组分别计数3种清扫方式的淋巴结总数、转移数;检查2组甲状腺及中央区清扫标本中有无甲状旁腺。结果：实验组中央区及Ⅲ、Ⅳ区和侧颈区清扫标本淋巴结黑染率分别为80.0%、54.9%及39.1%。在中央区清扫标本中,对照组、实验组平均每侧检出的淋巴结数为（3.03±2.07）枚、（4.72±2.97）枚,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;在Ⅲ、Ⅳ区清扫标本中,对照组、实验组平均每侧检出的淋巴结数为（5.53±3.78）枚、（10.29±3.36）枚,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;在侧颈区清扫标本中,对照组、实验组平均每侧检出的淋巴结数为（13.40±9.67）枚、（14.56±6.28）枚,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。3种清扫方式平均每侧检出的转移淋巴结数实验组和对照组比较均差异无统计学意义（均P〉0.05）。实验组68侧甲状腺或中央区清扫标本中有3侧检出甲状旁腺,对照组60侧甲状腺或中央区清扫标本中有9侧检出甲状旁腺,2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：纳米碳在中央区清扫及侧颈区cN0者行择区性Ⅲ、Ⅳ区清扫时可以较好地标记淋巴结,提高了淋巴结检出率;侧颈区cN＋者,纳米碳没有提高淋巴结的检出率。纳米碳在甲状腺腺叶切除及中央区清扫时可以有效区别和保护甲状旁腺。     

A clinical study of ultrasonography for lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer

Ultrasonography (US) is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node swelling in head and neck cancers. We studied problems with US in evaluating lymph nodes. Cervical lymph nodes were removed by radical neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection from 79 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck. We studied the correlation between preoperative US findings and the histopathological features. Preoperative lymph nodes were measured three-dimensionally. We diagnosed lymph nodes as metastases when they meet two criteria: One is the shortest diameter exceeding 7 mm in level I and II and 6 mm in level III, IV and V. The other is shortest to longest diameter ratio exceeding 0.5. A total of 2004 lymph nodes were removed by neck dissection, and 199 lymph nodes were diagnosed histopathologically as metastases. Of the 199 metastatic lymph nodes, 93 (46%) were diagnosed as metastases by preoperative US findings and 33 (17%) were false negative. Thirty-six cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N0 by US findings, but 15 of these were pN(+) histopathologically. In the 15 cases, 21 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 21 metastatic lymph nodes, 10 nodes were not detected by US. Thirty-one cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N1 by US findings, but 20 of these were pN2b histopathologically. In the 20 cases, 66 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 66 metastatic lymph nodes, 46 were not diagnosed as metastases. They often located distant level from the lymph node diagnosed correctly as a metastasis. US is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis, but it has the limitations indicated above. If 1 metastatic lymph node is detected by US, there will be multiple metastatic lymph nodes and sometimes they are distant from the original level. Radical neck dissection should be done for positive lymph nodes detected by US findings. If a lymph node is not clearly a metastasis, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) should be done, because it provides more accurate diagnosis for metastatic lymph nodes.     

甲状腺乳头状癌颈部淋巴结转移规律及影响因素分析

目的：探讨甲状腺乳头状癌颈部淋巴结转移规律及其相关影响因素,为甲状腺乳头状癌颈部淋巴结清扫术提供一定的临床依据。方法：回顾性分析314例甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床资料。314例患者中,行甲状腺腺叶峡部切除、中央区淋巴结清扫术79例,甲状腺全切、中央区淋巴结清扫术173例,甲状腺全切、中央区淋巴结清扫术、侧颈部改良根治性颈部淋巴结清扫术62例。手术中清扫出淋巴结1～55个,其中阳性淋巴结0～14个。结果：314例患者中经病理证实共有168例（53．50％）患者有淋巴结转移,其中中央区淋巴结转移159例（50．64％）,中央区＋侧颈转移淋巴结55例（17．52％）,单纯侧颈淋巴结转移9例（2．87％）。患者年龄、肿瘤直径、甲状腺被膜受侵犯、临床分期是甲状腺乳头状癌颈部淋巴结转移的影响因素（P〈0．05）。结论：甲状腺乳头状癌患者最常发生中央区淋巴结转移,应常规进行中央区淋巴结清扫术。     

甲状腺乳头状癌Ⅵ区淋巴结清扫非劣性研究

目的：了解未行含Ⅵ区的择区性淋巴结清扫术的分化良好的甲状腺乳头状癌患者的复发情况;探讨分化良好的甲状腺乳头状癌是否要常规行含Ⅵ区的择区性颈淋巴结清扫术。方法：不同时期处理的甲状腺乳头状癌患者267例,按时间分成2组：A组为近期行含Ⅵ区的择区性淋巴结清扫的甲状腺乳头状癌151例;B组为早期未行Ⅵ区择区性淋巴结清扫的甲状腺乳头状癌116例。原发灶处理2组均一致：肿瘤发生侧行甲状腺全切除,甲状腺峡部全切,健侧甲状腺次全切除;若肿瘤两侧同时发生,则行双侧甲状腺全切术。统计第1组中Ⅵ区淋巴结转移发生率;随访第2组患者,观察头颈部淋巴结复发情况以及生存情况。结果：A组151例患者中59例仅行Ⅵ区淋巴结清扫,其中发生转移者22例,其余92例同时行Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅵ区颈淋巴结清扫,其中各区都没有转移者31例,Ⅵ区和其他区均转移者33例（35．8％）,只有Ⅵ区颈淋巴结转移者17例（18．4％）,除Ⅵ区外其他区域淋巴结有转移者11例（11．9％）。即甲状腺乳头状癌病例中Ⅵ区淋巴结转移率为47．7％（72／151）。B组116例甲状腺乳头状癌伴有颈淋巴结转移者47例,占40．5％;5年生存率为99．3％;复发率为6．0％（7／116）。A组颈淋巴结转移率（54．9％）高于B组（40．5％）。结论：分化良好的甲状腺乳头状癌患者较多的转移到气管前和喉返神经周围淋巴结,Ⅵ区淋巴清扫可成为常规。     

Regional metastatic pattern of papillary thyroid carcinoma

The objective of the present study was to determine the pattern of lymphatic spread in papillary thyroid carcinoma with clinically positive nodes. Between 1999 and 2008, a total of 48 consecutive patients with clinical evidence of cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent 61 modified radical neck dissections (13 being bilateral) including levels II–VI. All neck dissection specimens were separated during surgery into levels and analysis was done with respect to the levels of neck. T value of tumor and demographic parameters were compared with the number of metastatic nodes with univariate analysis. The median number of pathologic nodes in neck dissection specimen was 7.0. The predominant site of metastasis was level VI (77%), followed by level III (69%), level IV (66%), and level II (46%). Level V showed 34% of nodal metastasis. Seven patients had level VII, and five patients had parapharyngeal lymph node dissections because of lymphatic involvement at these sites. There was no statistically significant correlation between T value, age, sex and the number of histologically positive lymph nodes (P = 0.39, P = 0.91 and P = 0.84, respectively). It was concluded that the high incidence of metastatic disease in levels II through VI supports the recommendation for level II through level VI neck dissection in patient with clinically positive neck disease.     

The first report of bilateral retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma and review of the literature

The sites of lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinomas are typically the paratracheal and jugular lymph nodes. On the other hand, metastasis to the retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal nodes from papillary thyroid carcinomas is very rare. During the last two decades, limited to cases with a histologically definite diagnosis by surgery, only 39 cases have been reported. All reported cases were unilateral retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal node metastasis except one metachronous bilateral case, and there were no reports of simultaneous bilateral cases within our literature review. We report three cases of retropharyngeal node metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma, including a case of bilateral nodal metastasis. Retropharyngeal node metastasis was successfully resected in all three patients by the transcervical approach. As pointed out in past reports, this report also suggests that prior neck dissection and/or metastasis to cervical lymph nodes might alter the direction of lymphatic drainage to the retrograde fashion, resulting in the unusual metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and there is a possibility of a bilateral pattern. Also, it is necessary to consider the possibility of metastasis from a papillary thyroid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of lymph node swelling in the parapharyngeal space.     

甲状腺乳头状癌Ⅱ区淋巴结隐匿性转移的临床分析

目的 分析甲状腺乳头状癌Ⅱ区淋巴结隐匿性转移的相关因素。方法 回顾分析天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院头颈外科2003年1月至2009年12月收治的213例术前Ⅱ区淋巴结临床阴性,颈侧其他区阳性的初治甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床资料。淋巴清扫标本经病理证实颈侧区（Ⅱ～Ⅴ）有淋巴转移。单因素和多因素分析分别采用卡方检验和二分类Logistic回归分析。结果 颈部Ⅵ区淋巴结转移率79.3％( 169/213),Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ区淋巴结转移率分别为83.6％( 178/213)、75.1％ (160/213)、13.1％ (28/213),Ⅱ区隐匿性淋巴结转移率为16.0％(34/213)。单因素分析显示：术前颈侧区Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结同时阳性或者术前Ⅲ区淋巴结阳性,与Ⅱ区淋巴结隐匿性转移密切相关（x2值分别为11.120和5.614,P值均＜0.05）;多因素分析显示术前颈侧区Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结同时阳性是隐匿性Ⅱ区淋巴转移的独立危险因素(P=0.033,OR =3.846)。结论 甲状腺乳头状癌患者术前未发现Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区淋巴结阳性时,可以考虑暂时不进行预防性Ⅱ区颈淋巴清扫术。     

Unusual locations for differentiated thyroid cancer nodal metastasis

Lymph node metastasis is common in differentiated thyroid cancer especially papillary thyroid cancer. Presence of lymph node metastasis does not have an impact on survival in younger patients. Therapeutic central and lateral neck dissection in the presence of clinically or radiologically evident lymph nodes has resulted in good overall survival. However, disease persistence in the lymph node/early recurrences may be seen in patients owing to lymph nodes that may be missed during the initial neck dissection. These observed locations are retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal nodal location, retro carotid location, sublingual, axillary, and intraparotid locations, supraclavicular and superficial to the sternothyroid muscle. We aim to highlight these locations with the goal to minimize persistence or early recurrence of disease at these locations.     

Management of lateral cervical metastases in papillary thyroid cancer: patterns of lymph node distribution

In this article we discuss the management of lateral cervical lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We conducted a retrospective analysis of cases of PTC at our tertiary academic medical center involving 32 patients who underwent 39 neck dissections for the management of lateral cervical metastases from 2000 to 2007. Of these patients, 18 underwent primary neck dissections at the time of thyroidectomy after fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed the PTC. Secondary neck dissections for delayed metastases were performed in 14 patients who had previously undergone thyroidectomy for confirmed PTC. All 32 patients had positive nodes in at least one level. Our results highlight the high incidence of multilevel cervical metastasis associated with PTC and suggest the importance of including level II-B (submuscular recess) when performing a neck dissection; the upper posterior triangle (level V-A) is less likely to harbor occult tumor. Lateral neck metastasis from PTC is common and predictable; locoregional control is improved with a formal, comprehensive neck dissection at the time of thyroidectomy.     

甲状腺乳头状癌合并颈部局灶型Castleman病1例

摘要：目的探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)合并颈部局灶型Castleman病 (UCD)的临床诊治经验。方法回顾性分析1 例PTC合并颈部UCD的临床病例资料,并检索国内外文献。该患者术前行甲状腺结节穿刺细胞学检查(FNA)倾向PTC,合并右颈侧区淋巴结肿大,行甲状腺右侧腺叶合并峡部切除及右颈II、III、IV、VI区淋巴结清扫术。结果术后切口愈合良好,无声音嘶哑及低钙症状,术后 4 d治愈出院。术后随访6个月无复发。术后病理证实颈侧区肿大淋巴结为UCD。结论PTC合并UCD极为罕见,且UCD的术前诊断较为困难,但手术切除多可治愈;PTC合并颈部淋巴结肿大者,临床医生不仅需考虑甲状腺癌转移淋巴结可能,还需警惕UCD的存在。     

Ⅵ区淋巴结在甲状腺乳头状癌颈淋巴转移中的意义

目的 进一步认识Ⅵ区淋巴结在甲状腺乳头状癌(papillary thyroid carcinoma,PTC)颈转移中的地位及PTC患者颈部转移淋巴结的分布特点,为PTC的颈部淋巴结处理提供依据.方法 回顾性总结2002年1月至2004年12月97例病变局限于一侧腺叶的PTC患者的临床资料:72例术前检查为cNO,25例为cN+;32例原发灶长径≤1 cm,65例原发灶长径＞1 cm.术中常规取Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结做冰冻病理检查,根据淋巴结病理结果、肿瘤原发灶大小及位置决定颈部淋巴结的清扫范围.Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴转移患者行包括Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫;伴有肿瘤包膜外侵患者行双侧Ⅵ区清扫;原发灶长径≤1 cm行患侧Ⅵ区清扫;原发灶长径＞1 cm行双侧Ⅵ区清扫.结果 97例患者行Ⅵ区清扫122侧,45.1%(55/122)发生淋巴转移.72例cN0患者45.8%(33/72)发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移,25例cN+患者76.0%(19/25)发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移,差异有统计学意义(x2=6.790,P=0.009).10例原发灶包膜外侵患者的淋巴转移发生率为65.0%(13/20),87例无包膜外侵患者的淋巴转移发生率为41.2%(42/102),差异有统计学意义(x2=3.833,P=0.047).32例原发灶长径≤1 cm的患者行患侧Ⅵ区清扫,43.8%(14/32)发生淋巴转移,65例原发灶长径＞1 cm患者行双侧Ⅵ区清扫,69.2%(45/65)有患侧Ⅵ区转移,23.1%(15/65)有双侧Ⅵ区转移,两组间同侧Ⅵ区转移率的差异有统计学意义(x2=5.843,P=0.016).结论 Ⅵ区为FTC较早发生淋巴转移的区域,伴有原发灶包膜外侵犯者易发生Ⅵ区淋巴转移.原发灶长径≤1 cm的患者可发生同侧Ⅵ区转移;原发灶长径＞1 cm者可发生双侧Ⅵ区转移.PTC颈淋巴转移可单独或同时发生在Ⅵ区或侧颈区的任何一个区域.术中应常规做Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结冰冻病理检查,淋巴结阳性者行包括Ⅵ区的改良性颈清扫.     

Strategy of neck dissection in parotid cancer

We conducted definitive surgery on 45 patients with untreated primary parotid cancer from 1975 to 1995, and evaluated methods of neck dissection and results of treatment. All 14 with clinical neck lymph node metastasis underwent ipsilateral radical neck dissection and only 1 developed neck lymph node recurrence at the peripheral dissected site. Of 31 patients without clinical neck lymph node metastasis, 27 of 19 of 36 with high-grade malignancy and 12 of 24 with T3 or T4 did not undergo prophylactic neck dissection and developed latent neck lymph node metastasis in 2 cases (7.4%). Whereas in most cases we achieved good control of the primary site but neck lymph node recurrences occurred, recurrent sites were observed all around the ipsilateral neck and prognosis were very poor if neck dissection was conducted as secondary treatment. Although histopathological diagnosis was considered feasible for predicting occult neck lymph node metastasis, correct diagnostic with fine needle aspiration cytology revealed only 21.8%. Pathological positive lymph nodes in 15 patients who underwent neck dissection were detected all over (level I to V) the ipsilateral neck and the recurrent positive rate at level II was 100%. Based on the above results, we conclude that (1) in cases with neck lymph node metastasis in preoperative evaluation, ipsilateral radical neck dissection is mandated, and (2) in cases without neck lymph node metastasis, prophylactic neck dissection is not usually needed. When pathological results of frozen section from intraoperative jugulodigastric nodal sampling are positive, ipsilateral radical neck dissection is mandated.     

Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Controversies in the Management of Neck Metastasis

Objective/Hypothesis: To describe our institution's experience with the management of cervical metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and suggest a treatment strategy based on the incidence of pathologic nodes and cervical recurrence in patients undergoing varied surgical approaches to address lymphadenopathy over the study dates. Materials and Methods: Between December 1, 1972 and September 1, 2007, 183 total patients diagnosed with PTC at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center were treated with lymphadenectomy. Pathologic parameters, including number of pathologic nodes and extent of lymphadenectomy were correlated to disease recurrence. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Results: The incidence of pathologic nodes in lymphadenectomy specimens (57.9%) and the recurrence rate (33.7%) were high, in our study population. In comparing techniques with address lymphadenopathy, the highest recurrence rate was observed in patients with pathologic nodes treated with “lymph node plucking” procedures at the time of thyroidectomy and those patients with multiple nodes involved. Few patients with no pathologic nodes, regardless of lymphadenectomy extent recurred. Conclusions: Our data show that limited neck dissection and disease burden are associated with the highest rates of cervical recurrence in regional metastatic PTC. Comprehensive functional neck dissection would seem to offer the patient the best opportunity for control of cervical metastasis. The American Thyroid Association recommends thyroglobulin monitoring and ultrasound evaluation of the neck in all postoperative patients. Therefore patients with the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer need preoperative ultrasound of the lateral neck and fine needle aspiration of suspicious nodes to avoid undertreating patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy. Neck dissection of the compartments in which pathologic nodes were detected (central, lateral, or both) should then be undertaken at the time of initial thyroidectomy. Eliminating all disease remains elusive and the prognosticsignificance of cervical disease persistence and recurrence is still unknown. Patients with cervical metastasis are at substantial risk of regional recurrence, necessitating repeat surgery. Parathyroid implantation should be considered at the time of the initial surgery to reduce the risk of hypoparathyroidism should subsequent procedures be required. More information will be necessary to better understand the prognostic significance of these regional metastases. In the interim, many patients may be overtreated, whereas some remain at risk of death because of disease.     

cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者颈淋巴结转移的高危因素分析

目的 探讨cN0甲状腺乳头状癌颈淋巴结转移的高危因素.方法 回顾性分析北京同仁医院2009~2015年537例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌的临床资料,统计患者性别、年龄、多发灶、合并桥本甲状腺炎、突破包膜和肿瘤直径.结果537例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者颈淋巴结转移率30.9%(166/537),其中单纯VI区转移率24.95%(134/537),VI区+颈侧转移率5.21%(28/537),单纯颈侧率0.74%(4/537).卡方检验和多因素logistic回归分析显示颈淋巴结转移与男性、年龄<45岁、突破包膜与肿瘤直径>1 cm有关(P<0.05).术后17例患者暂时声嘶,1例失访,1例随访1.5年未完全恢复正常.术后61例患者暂时低钙,2例失访,2例分别随访1.5和4年,仍需补钙.结论对cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者进行危险度分层,男性、年龄<45岁、突破包膜、肿瘤直径>1 cm是颈淋巴结转移的高危因素,建议个体化治疗,行预防性中央区淋巴结清扫.