title: Prediction of thyroid extracapsular extension with cervical lymph node metastases (ECE-LN) by CEUS and BRAF expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: The aim of our study was to find a specific imaging (contrast-enhanced ultrasound, CEUS) to detect extracapsular extension and cervical lymph node metastases (ECE-LNM) that associated with BRAF protein expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Preoperative utrasonography (US) or CEUS was performed in the diagnosis of extracapsular extension (ECE) in 317 patients with 369 PTC. BRAF protein status was tested on the primary tumor and lymph node involvement. The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS and US was evaluated after thyroid surgery. The association between CEUS and BRAF expression were then analyzed to investigate the diagnostic value of ECE-LNM in PTC. The sensitivity and specificity of CEUS were higher than those in US in the diagnosis of ECE in patients with PTC (91.1, 86.5 vs 49, 55 %). BRAF protein overexpression were significantly associated with ECE (P = 0.0003) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) positive cases (P = 0.0014). The results of CEUS, not US, have a significant correlation with BRAF expression status in PTC samples (P < 0.0001). Associated with BRAF protein expression status, the routine preoperative CEUS could have a good value in the diagnosis of ECE-LNM in PTC and facilitate a surgeon to improve further clinical management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf