ObjectivePapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common pathological type of thyroid carcinoma, and is prone to cervical lymph node metastases (CLNM). We aim to evaluate the association between sonographic characteristics of PTC and CLNM before the initial surgery.MethodsClinical information as well as ultrasonographic measurements and characteristics for 2376 patients from three hospitals were acquired in this retrospective cohort study. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to predict CLNM in unifocal PTC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was created to evaluate diagnostic performance.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that gender, age, maximum tumor diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio, location, echogenicity, margin, and echogenic foci were independently associated with CLNM metastatic status (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that gender, age, maximum tumor diameter and volume, cross-sectional aspect ratio (CSAR), location, echogenicity, margin, and echogenic foci were independent correlative factors; CSAR showed a significant difference for PTC2 to predict CLNM. The area under the curve (AUC) of the maximum tumor diameter, tumor volume, margin, and echogenic foci was 0.70, 0.69, 0.65, and 0.70, respectively. The multiple-variable linear regression model was constructed with an AUC of 0.77, a specificity of 73.4%, and a sensitivity of 72.3%. Kruskal-Wallis analysis for positive subgroups, maximum tumor diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio, margin, and echogenic foci showed statistical significance (P < 0.05).ConclusionsYounger age (< 55 years), male, larger tumor, and echogenic foci were high risk factors for CLNM in patients with unifocal PTC. CSAR had a more effective predictive value for CLNM in patients with larger thyroid tumors. A larger tumor with irregular and punctate echogenic foci was also more prone to the lateral neck, and both central and lateral neck metastasis.

Objective Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has a high propensity for cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). We evaluated the association between PTC radio frequency (RF) signals and CLNM. Methods Patients with PTC (n = 170) confirmed by pathology after thyroidectomy between July 2019 and May 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to CLNM. Univariate analysis was performed to predict CLNM and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of RF signals and the Thyroid imaging Reporting and Data System. Results Of 170 patients with 182 nodules included in the study, 11 had multiple nodules. Univariate analysis showed that age, maximum tumor diameter, cross‐sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio, RF quantitative parameters (cross‐sectional intercept, mid‐band, S1, and S4, and longitudinal Higuchi, slope, intercept, mid‐band, S1), and echogenic foci were independently associated with CLNM (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) values of the maximum tumor diameter, longitudinal slope, and echogenic foci were 0.68, 0.61, and 0.62, respectively. Linear regression analysis of maximum tumor diameter, longitudinal slope, and echogenic foci showed that the correlations between longitudinal slope and CLNM were greater than that of echogenic foci (ß = 0.203 vs. ß = 0.154). Conclusion Longitudinal slope and echogenic foci have similar diagnostic efficacy for predicting the risk of CLNM in PTC, although longitudinal slope has a greater correlation with CLNM.

Background. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid carcinoma and is prone to cervical lymph node metastases (CLNM). We aim to analyz e the correlation between clinical information, ultrasonic parameters of PTC, and CLNM. Methods. 1335 patients who had pathologically confirmed unifocal PTC were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to predict CLNM in PTC patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results. Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, maximum tumor diameter and volume, and cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio were related to CLNM ( P < 0.05 ). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that gender, age, maximum tumor diameter, and volume were independent correlative factors, and the cross-sectional aspect ratio had significant difference for PTC2 to predict CLNM. The area under the curve (AUC) of the maximum tumor diameter and volume was 0.738 and 0.733, respectively. Maximum tumor diameter and volume and the cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio were statistically significant following analysis of variance ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions. Younger age, male, and larger tumor were high risk factors for CLNM in patients with unifocal PTC. The cross-sectional aspect ratio had a more effective predictive value for CLNM in patients with larger thyroid tumors.

Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid carcinoma, which is prone to cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). We aim to analyze the correlation between clinical information, ultrasonic (US) measurements of PTC and CLNM. Methods A total of 1335 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and had pathologically confirmed unifocal PTC were enrolled in the retrospective research. Univariate analysis and logistic analysis were performed to predict CLNM in PTC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, tumour maximum diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio were related to CLNM (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that gender, age, tumour maximum diameter and volume were independent correlative factors. The ROC curve was established based on the correlative factors screened by regression analysis. The AUC of the tumour maximum diameter and volume was 0.738 and 0.733, respectively. ANOVA variance analysis on positive and negative group, tumour maximum diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion Independent correlative factors for CLNM in patients with unifocal PTC were younger age, male, larger tumour. For tumour with larger volume, central, lateral or both lymph node metastasis should be checked in advance, it would rule as a guidance to perform FNA for CLNM before surgery.

Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common pathological type of thyroid carcinoma. We aim to evaluate the association of sonographic features of PTC and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) at the initial surgery. Methods Clinical information, ultrasonographic measurements and features for 1335 patients were acquired in data collection. Univariate analysis was performed to test CLNM by 7 independent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was created to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results Univariate analysis showed that gland, location, aspect ratio, margin and echogenic foci were independently associated with CLNM metastatic status (P<0.05). Binary linear regression analysis showed that sex, age, tumour maximum diameter and volume, location, margin and echogenic foci were independent correlative factors. The ROC curves were established based on the relevant factors, the AUC of tumour maximum diameter, tumour volume and margin were 0.74, 0.73, and 0.71, respectively. The multiple-variable linear regression model was constructed with AUC of 0.81, specificity of 72.8%, and sensitivity of 75.0%. ANOVA variance analysis for sub-positive groups, tumour maximum diameter, tumour volume, margin and echogenic foci had statistical significance (P<0.05).Conclusion Younger age, male, larger tumour, margin, and echogenic foci were high risk factors for CLNM in PTC. Cross-sectional aspect ratio with value≥1 had higher predictive value for CLNM in patients with larger thyroid tumors.