Factors of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Based on C-TIRADS Analysis

To study risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) using the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS). We retrospectively analysed patients who underwent PTC surgery and central lymph node dissection at First People’s Hospital of Foshan City. The clinical and ultrasonic data of the patients from 1150 cases were analysed by multivariate regression to evaluate the correlation between grayscale ultrasound (US) features, C-TIRADS score, and the classification of thyroid nodules and CLNM of PTCs. The C-TIRADS score was 3.0±1.0 in the CLNM group, which was higher than that in the non-CLNM group (p<0.001). Sex (male) (OR=1.586, 95% CI 1.232–2.042, p<0.001), age (≤45 years) (OR=1.508, 95% CI 1.184–1.919, p=0.001), location of nodes (lower pole) (OR=2.193, 95% CI 1.519–3.166, p<0.001), number (multifocal) (OR=2.204, 95% CI 1.227–2.378, p<0.001), microcalcification (OR=1.610, 95% CI 2.225–4.434, p=0.002), extrathyroidal extension (OR=2.204, 95% CI 1.941–3.843, p<0.001), maximum diameter of nodule (≥20 mm) (OR=3.211, 95% CI 2.337–4.411, p<0.001), and C-TIRADS score (OR=1.356, 95% CI 1.204–1.527, p<0.001) were PTC in independent risk factors for CLNM. The C-TIRADS score of PTC combined with the location, number, size, and ultrasound features of the lesion and the patient’s sex and age are important in predicting whether they present with CLNM and provide a reference basis for the clinical formulation of a reasonable surgical treatment plan.