Multiple simple cystic metastases in the lateral neck at presentation with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Metastasis of a papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in the lateral neck is characterized primarily by solid lymphadenopathy, although some cases may rarely present with a cervical cystic mass. We report a case of lateral cervical lymph node metastases of PTMC that appeared as a cystic lymphangioma of the lateral neck. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old man with a painless egg-sized mass in the right side of the neck that had been present for 1 month underwent physical examination, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), and intraoperative fast-frozen pathological examination, which indicated that the cystic masses in the neck were benign. However, the final pathology report identified the lateral neck masses as lymph node metastases of thyroid carcinoma. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with PTMC of the right lobe of the thyroid gland with lateral neck metastases. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent right cervical neck dissection together with a right thyroidectomy, followed by levothyroxine therapy and routine follow-up. OUTCOMES: No postoperative complications were reported, and the thyroid-stimulating hormone inhibition target was <0.1 mmol/L; there was no detectable tumor recurrence on routine clinical follow-up for up to 16 months. CONCLUSIONS: This case report emphasizes the need to consider cervical lymph node metastases of thyroid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis for patients with large, multiple, simple cystic neck masses.