Utility of computed tomography in the detection of subclinical nodal disease in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the ability of computed tomography (CT) to identify subclinical cervical metastatic disease in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Tertiary academic center.


METHODS
Consecutive patients undergoing neck dissection for PTC between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2006.


METHODS
Preoperative CT scans were reevaluated in a blinded fashion by a single head and neck radiologist. Positive criteria included node with size larger than 10 mm, round shape, calcification, cystic character, or abnormal enhancement.


METHODS
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated separately for central compartment (level VI) and lateral compartment (levels III and IV) dissections.


RESULTS
One hundred four patients underwent selective neck dissection for PTC during the study period. Forty-three patients had disease that involved primary lymphadenectomy at the time of thyroidectomy, and 61 had persistent or recurrent disease. There were 111 lateral compartment dissections and 145 central compartment dissections. The overall sensitivity was 59% for both the central and lateral compartments, and the specificity was 76% and 71%, respectively. The PPV and NPV were 84% and 47% for the central compartment and 73% and 57% for the lateral compartment, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography has a limited capability to identify subclinical metastatic cervical disease in PTC, with a sensitivity near 60% and an NPV near 50%. Sole reliance on CT findings will miss a significant portion of disease likely because of the high incidence of microscopic foci. However, using strict criteria, a positive finding on a CT scan provides useful information because it predicts with a fairly high assurance that disease will in fact be found in a specific compartment during surgical dissection.
Soler
Zachary M
ZM
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Campus Box PV-01, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA.
Hamilton
Bronwyn E
BE
Schuff
Kathryn G
KG
Samuels
Mary H
MH
Cohen
James I
JI
D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*