Predictive factors of right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Single center experience and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: We performed this retrospective study to identify predictors of right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis, and reviewed previous studies related to this topic. METHODS: Between June 2005 and March 2015, 1107 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma and underwent surgery at Pusan National University Hospital. RESULTS: Right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis was observed in 171 (15.4%) patients. Multivariate analyses showed that the risk of right paraesophageal metastasis was significantly associated with tumor size, location, a higher number of metastatic central lymph nodes, and lateral lymph node metastasis. In a meta-analysis of the eligible studies, tumor size, number of metastatic central lymph nodes, and lateral lymph node metastasis showed significant relationships with the risk of right paraesophageal metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with risk factors such as those identified in our study, the possibility of right paraesophageal metastasis should be kept in mind, and careful inspection and dissection are required.