Several issues concerning lateralcervicallymph nodes dissection for differentiated thyroid carcinoma
XU Zhen-gang
LIU Shao-yan
ZHU Yi-ming
Abstract：Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) constitutes the major part of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).Cervical lymph nodes metastasis is common for PTC.It is essential to treat cervical lymph nodes metastasis rationally and radically.Cervical lymph nodes dissection is currently the best treatment for DTC with cervical lymph modes metastasis.Preoperative evaluation for cervical lymph nodes metastasis should include neck ultrasonography and enhanced computed tomography (CT).Thin slice CT scanning including neck and the thorax is recommended.Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can substitute CT in case of iodine contrast agent allergy.Indication for lateral cervical lymph nodes dissection is cytology or pathology confirmed lymph nodes metastasis in the lateral neck.Prophylactic lateral cervical lymph nodes dissection is not recommended.The extent of lateral cervical lymph nodes dissection should include levels Ⅱ (Ⅱ a),Ⅲ,Ⅳ,and Ⅴ b.Minimal acceptable extent includes levels Ⅱ (Ⅱ a),Ⅲ,and Ⅳ.When applying the minimal acceptable extent,the indications for dissection of levels Ⅱ b and Ⅴ should be assessed carefully.Based on the radical excision of the disease,more attention should be paid to the protection of nerves and vessels over the dissected region for the improvement of quality of life.
Keywords：differentiated thyroid carcinomapapillary thyroid carcinomacervical lymph nodes metastasiscervical lymph nodes dissection
Publication Date：2017-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 941-943 )