Delphian node metastasis in head and neck cancers--oracle or myth?

Meta-analysis of the effect and clinical significance of Delphian lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer

Objective

To investigate the effect and clinical significance of Delphian lymph nodes (DLN) on the factors influencing papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) to provide individualized guidance for the surgical treatment of thyroid cancer.

Methods

Relevant studies from PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched until February 13, 2023. Stringent selection parameters were used to obtain included data and homogeneous articles. Analyses were performed using Revman 5.4 and SPSS software. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Five studies were finally included in this study. The results revealed a higher risk of DLN metastasis (DLNM) in patients with tumor size >1cm, multifocality, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) of the thyroid. The risk of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) was 11.25 times higher in DLN-positive patients with PTC than in DLN-negative (OR = 11.25, 95% CI: 8.64-14.64, P < 0.05) patients. The risk of LLNM was 5.57 times higher in DLN-positive patients with PTC than in DLN-negative (OR = 5.57, 95% CI: 4.57-6.78, P < 0.001) patients. The risk of postoperative recurrence in DLN-positive patients with PTC was 3.49 times higher (OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.91-6.38, P < 0.001) than in DLN-negative patients with PTC.

Conclusion

Patients with tumor size >1 cm in diameter, multifocality, and ETE have an increased risk for DLN development. DLN-positive patients with central and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis and postoperative recurrence are at higher risk than DLN-negative patients.

Peristomal recurrence following primary total laryngectomy: the enigma of the central compartment neck lymph nodes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The practice of primary total laryngectomy (TL) for advanced laryngo-hypopharyngeal cancer has significantly declined in the developed countries. The treatment options most frequently adopted have changed from open surgery to transoral laser or robotic approaches or nonsurgical (bio-chemo-) radiotherapy. Primary TL remains the treatment of choice in the developing world where healthcare resources are limited, especially for the treatment of cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Peristomal recurrence (PSR) is quite a serious complication, with an incidence of 6.6% from the published literature (mainly concerning the developed world), most diagnosed within 2 years, and associated with >80% mortality. The major risk factors include pretreatment tracheostomy, specific primary tumor subsites, positive surgical margins, and presence of nodal metastasis. The treatment options are limited and most success has been observed with surgery, especially when PSR is diagnosed at an early-stage, which is uncommon. Treatment of advanced-stage disease is usually palliative. Reduction and/or prevention of the known risk factors for PSR remain the goal when performing TL. In particular, central compartment (para- and pretracheal) lymph nodes dissection in case of large tumors with extra-laryngeal and/or subglottic extension or pretreatment tracheotomy plays a paramount role in PSR prevention.

SUMMARY

Research is required to conclude the formulation of guidelines for proper dissection of the central compartment (level VI) lymph nodes as indicated either prophylactically or therapeutically during TL for preventing PSR.

Delphian lymph node metastasis predicts occult contralateral carcinoma for unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with contralateral benign nodules

BACKGROUND

For unilateral PTC patients with benign nodules in the contralateral lobe evaluated preoperatively, the necessity of total thyroidectomy remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors for occult contralateral carcinoma and whether DLN metastasis could predict it.

METHODS

A total of 148 patients with unilateral PTC and contralateral benign nodules who were treated with a near-total thyroidectomy or TT at a single institution between August 2018 and April 2020 were enrolled. Clinicopathological features such as age, sex, TgAb or TPOAb level, primary tumor location, nodule number in contralateral lobe, carcinoma number in primary lobe, tumor size, capsular invasion, central lymph node metastasis, DLN metastasis were analyzed to investigate the rate and predictive factors of occult contralateral carcinoma.

RESULTS

44.6% patients were diagnosed with occult contralateral thyroid carcinoma. Univariate analysis showed that sex (P = 0.008), mulifocality of primary carcinoma (P < 0.001), tumor size (P = 0.033), capsular invasion (P = 0.042), CLN metastasis (P = 0.004), DLN metastasis (P = 0.001) were associated with occult contralateral carcinoma. Multivariate analysis showed that multifocality of primary carcinoma (p = 0.000, OR = 9.729), DLN metastasis (p = 0.042, OR = 4.701), capsular invasion (p = 0.022, OR = 2.909), and male patients (p = 0.006, OR = 3.926) were all independent predictive factors.

CONCLUSION

For unilateral PTC patients with benign nodules in the contralateral lobe evaluated preoperatively, multifocality of primary carcinoma, DLN metastasis, capsular invasion, and male patients are independent predictors of occult contralateral carcinoma. We suggest separate excision and frozen section of DLN intraoperatively, if DLNs were confirmed metastasized, a TT was highly recommended.

The incidence and features of Delphian lymph node involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Introduction

In papillary thyroid cancer patients, the extent of dissection is still a matter of debate. Evaluating Delphian lymph nodes (DLNs) during the surgery has been speculated as a valuable tool to determine the extent of dissection. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and features of DLNs involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Method

We conducted this cross-sectional study among surgical cases of papillary thyroid cancer. Patients were divided based on their DLNs involvement status. Their age, gender, location of the mass, lymphatic involvement, tumor size, tumor characteristics, pathology report, and operation note features were compared between the two groups. Definitive pathology slides of the patients were evaluated regarding DLN features.

Results

Of the 61 patients (mean age: 38.2 ± 12.0), 45 (73.8%) were females. In 13 (21.3%) patients, DLNs involvement was reported. A statistically significant relationship was noted between DLNs involvement and other lymph nodes' involvement on the same side of the mass (P < 0.001), the opposite side (P = 0.041), and also central lymph nodes (P < 0.001). Vascular invasion was also significantly higher among patients with DLNs involvement (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Since DLNs involvement is significantly associated with extensive nodal involvement, intraoperative evaluation of DLNs is recommended to establish the extent to which dissection should be performed.

Nomograms Combining Ultrasonic Features With Clinical and Pathological Features for Estimation of Delphian Lymph Node Metastasis Risk in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background

This work explores the clinical significance of Delphian lymph nodes (DLN) in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC). At the same time, a nomogram is constructed based on clinical, pathological, and ultrasonic (US) features to evaluate the possibility of DLN metastasis (DLNM) in PTC patients. This is the first study to predict DLNM using US characteristics.

Methods

A total of 485 patients, surgically diagnosed with PTC between February 2017 and June 2021, all of whom underwent thyroidectomy, were included in the study. Using the clinical, pathological, and US information of patients, the related factors of DLNM were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors associated with DLNM were identified through univariate and multivariate analyses. According to clinical + pathology, clinical + US, and clinical + US + pathology, the predictive nomogram for DLNM was established and validated.

Results

Of the 485 patients with DLN, 98 (20.2%) exhibited DLNM. The DLNM positive group had higher positive rates of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM), and T3b–T4b thyroid tumors than the negative rates. The number of CLNM and LLNM lymph nodes in the DLNM+ group was higher as compared to that in the DLNM- group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the common independent risk factors of the three prediction models were male, bilaterality, and located in the isthmus. Age ≥45 years, located in the lower pole, and nodural goiter were protective factors. In addition, the independent risk factors were classified as follows: (I) P-extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and CLNM based on clinical + pathological characteristics; (II) US-ETE and US-CLNM based on clinical + US characteristics; and (III) US-ETE and CLNM based on clinical +US + pathological features. Better diagnostic efficacy was reported with clinical + pathology + US diagnostic model than that of clinical + pathology diagnostic model (AUC 0.872 vs. 0.821, p = 0.039). However, there was no significant difference between clinical + pathology + US diagnostic model and clinical + US diagnostic model (AUC 0.872 vs. 0.821, p = 0.724).

Conclusions

This study found that DLNM may be a sign that PTC is more invasive and has extensive lymph node metastasis. By exploring the clinical, pathology, and US characteristics of PTC progression to DLNM, three prediction nomograms, established according to different combinations of features, can be used in different situations to evaluate the transfer risk of DLN.

Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis from Head and Neck Cancer: Predictive Factors and Imaging Features

Purpose

To assess the predictive factors and describe the imaging features of mediastinal lymph node (MLN) metastases in patients with head and neck cancer.

Materials and Methods

We compared the clinical features and disease characteristics (sex, age, site of primary tumor, histologic type, history of prior treatments, TNM stages, and metastasis in cervical LNs) of patients with head and neck cancers between the MLN metastasis and no MLN metastasis groups. We also evaluated the chest CT (distribution and maximum dimension of the largest LN) and PET/CT (maximum standardized uptake value) features of MLN metastases based on the MLN classification.

Results

Of the 470 patients with head and neck cancer, 55 (11.7%) had MLN metastasis, involving 150 mediastinal stations. Hypopharynx cancer, recurrent tumor, T4 stage, N2/N3 stages, and M1 stage were found to be significant predicting factors for MLN metastasis. The most common location of MLN metastasis was ipsilateral station 2 (upper paratracheal LNs, 36.4%), followed by ipsilateral station 11 (interlobar LNs, 27.3%) and ipsilateral station 10 (hilar LNs, 25.5%).

Conclusion

Metastasis to MLNs should be considered in patients with head and neck cancer, especially in cases that are associated with a hypopharyngeal cancer, recurrent tumor, and high TNM stages.

Predictive Value of Delphian Lymph Node Metastasis in the Thyroid Cancer

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis for the prediction of central lymph node (CLN) metastasis and lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis.

METHODS

Two authors independently reviewed the six databases (Cochrane database, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science). Four parameters were extracted from each study: true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative. The quality of the methodology was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies ver. 2 tool.

RESULTS

The diagnostic odds ratio of DLN in CLN metastasis was 8.859 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.419; 16.578). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.748. The diagnostic odds ratio of DLN in LLN metastasis was 7.61 (95% CI, 4.48; 12.94). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.837. DLN metastasis was moderately predictive of CLN metastasis (sensitivity = 32%, specificity = 95%), LLN metastasis (sensitivity = 52%, specificity = 89%), and contralateral CLN metastasis (sensitivity = 46%, specificity = 85%). DLN metastasis had statistically significant correlation with specific clinicopathological characteristics, including younger age (< 45 years old), bilaterality, capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular invasion, male sex, multifocality, and tumor size (> 1 cm).

CONCLUSIONS

The higher specificities of DLN pathology may help predict central and lateral compartment involvement in patients with thyroid cancer.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 131:1990-1996, 2021.

The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Guidelines for the Definitive Surgical Management of Thyroid Disease in Adults

OBJECTIVE

To develop evidence-based recommendations for safe, effective, and appropriate thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of thyroid disease has evolved considerably over several decades leading to variability in rendered care. Over 100,000 thyroid operations are performed annually in the US.

METHODS

The medical literature from 1/1/1985 to 11/9/2018 was reviewed by a panel of 19 experts in thyroid disorders representing multiple disciplines. The authors used the best available evidence to construct surgical management recommendations. Levels of evidence were determined using the American College of Physicians grading system, and management recommendations were discussed to consensus. Members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons reviewed and commented on preliminary drafts of the content.

RESULTS

These clinical guidelines analyze the indications for thyroidectomy as well as its definitions, technique, morbidity, and outcomes. Specific topics include Pathogenesis and Epidemiology, Initial Evaluation, Imaging, Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Diagnosis, Molecular Testing, Indications, Extent and Outcomes of Surgery, Preoperative Care, Initial Thyroidectomy, Perioperative Tissue Diagnosis, Nodal Dissection, Concurrent Parathyroidectomy, Hyperthyroid Conditions, Goiter, Adjuncts and Approaches to Thyroidectomy, Laryngology, Familial Thyroid Cancer, Postoperative Care and Complications, Cancer Management, and Reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based guidelines were created to assist clinicians in the optimal surgical management of thyroid disease.

Clinical Study on Prelaryngeal Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective

This study aims to investigate the risk factors of prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinical application value.

Methods

The clinical pathological features and metastatic risks were statistically analyzed by reviewing 254 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, who received their first operation and prelaryngeal lymph node dissection in our department.

Results

The detection of prelaryngeal lymph nodes, tumor size and any paratracheal lymph node metastasis were correlated with the number of paratracheal lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but these were not correlated with age, gender, multiple foci, tumor size, any paratracheal lymph node metastasis, metastatic location, or foci location (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Paratracheal lymph node metastasis indicates a high possibility of prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis. Paratracheal lymph node dissection combined with prelaryngeal lymph node dissection should be simultaneously considered in operations for thyroid papilla carcinoma.

Use of Delphian lymph node metastasis to predict central and lateral involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Whether Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis is a reliable predictor of widespread lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis investigated the value of DLN metastasis for predicting central and lateral involvement in PTC.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A literature search using the PubMed, SCIE and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted. Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated the studies for inclusion. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to analyse the data based on their heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis was performed, and publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's linear regression test.

RESULTS

Data from 10 studies were analysed. The risk of central lymph node (CLN) metastasis was significantly higher in the DLN-positive group than in the DLN-negative group (OR = 9.05, 95% CI: 5.13-15.99) with moderate heterogeneity (P = 0.022, I²  = 53.5%). The risk of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis was significantly higher in the DLN-positive group than in the negative group (OR = 10.88, 95% CI: 7.60-15.58), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.603, I²  = 0.0%). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were stable and credible, and no publication bias was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Delphian lymph node metastasis is valuable for predicting central and lateral compartment involvement in patients with PTC. The DLN of PTC patients should be dissected intraoperatively and sent for frozen section consultation. If the result is positive, the CLNs should be thoroughly dissected and the LLNs should be further evaluated.

Importance of Delphian Lymph Node Evaluation in Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Fact or Fiction?

Background

Our main objective was to evaluate the association between autoimmune thyroiditis and the Delphian lymph node during different stages of thyroiditis.

Material/Methods

The relationships between the ultrasonography (US) results of thyroiditis and characteristics of the Delphian lymph node in different stages of AT were evaluated. Thyroid hormone and antibody levels were assessed. A total of 126 patients were divided into four groups according to the thyroid US findings: Group 1: control cases; Group 2: indeterminate cases; Group 3: established thyroiditis cases; Group 4: advanced-late stage thyroiditis cases.

Indeterminate cases attended a 1-year follow-up, and the cases with a sonographic finding matching thyroiditis formed Group 2.

Results

The rate of Delphian lymph node presence in Group 4 was significantly higher than in Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.01). In addition, its presence was significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p<0.05). Although there was a difference in Delphian lymph node presence between Groups 2 and 3, it was not significant (p=0.052), nor was there a significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05). Both the long and short axis measurements were significantly higher in Groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to those in the control group. However, the same increase was not observed in the long/short axis ratio.

Conclusions

Both the presence and dimensions of the Delphian lymph node were highly correlated with the progress of autoimmune thyroiditis. Evaluating the Delphian lymph nodes might prevent missing a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis.

The significance of Delphian lymph node in papillary thyroid cancer

AIM

To investigate the clinical significance of the DLN metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODS

A total of 231 PTC patients who underwent first surgical treatment in the Department of Hand and Neck Surgery of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to June 2014 were enrolled. The relationship between Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis and patient age, gender, tumor size, tumor number, unilateral or bilateral, capsular invasion, pretracheal and paratracheal node metastasis, and lateral node metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTS

Within 231 cases, 69 showed DLN, but only 19 (8.23%) were found with metastasis. In the univariate analysis, DLN metastasis was significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.023), capsular invasion (P = 0.001), pretracheal or paratracheal node metastasis (P = 0.003) and lateral node metastasis (P = 0.001), while there were no significant correlation between DLN metastasis and gender (P = 0.976), age (P = 0.976), tumor number (P = 0.234) and unilateral or bilateral (P = 0.724). In the multivariate analysis, capsular invasion was an independent risk factor of DLN metastasis (P < 0.05, odds ratio = 10.15).

CONCLUSION

Capsular invasion is an independent risk factor of DLN metastasis and DLN metastasis could be used as a predictor of lateral node metastasis. The dissection of DLN in PTC patients is recommended and lateral lymph node should be evaluated for patients with DLN positive.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma located in the isthmus or upper third is associated with Delphian lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND

Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis is a recognized indicator of further lymph node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of and risk factors for DLN metastasis.

METHODS

The medical records of 1,436 patients who underwent primary thyroidectomy for classical PTC with a tumor size of 2 cm or less were reviewed. Of these, 370 patients from whom the DLN was harvested were enrolled. Metastasis in DLN was present in 46 patients and absent in 324 patients. Clinicopathological features were compared according to DLN metastasis.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, DLN metastasis was associated with suspected lymph node metastasis on preoperative ultrasonography, tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid, larger tumor size, extrathyroid extension, lymphovascular invasion, and further lymph node metastasis. Multivariable analysis revealed that DLN metastasis was associated with tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid (odds ratio [OR] = 2.420; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.193-4.910) and further lymph node metastasis (OR = 4.746; 95 % CI 2.065-10.908).

CONCLUSIONS

DLN metastasis in PTC is associated with tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid and unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics. Careful consideration and patient management are warranted when preoperative ultrasonography indicates that the tumor is located in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid.

Current advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment of lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer

Still today, the status of the cervical lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor for head and neck cancer. So the individual treatment concept of the lymphatic drainage depends on the treatment of the primary tumor as well as on the presence or absence of suspect lymph nodes in the imaging diagnosis. Neck dissection may have either a therapeutic objective or a diagnostic one. The selective neck dissection is currently the method of choice for the treatment of patients with advanced head and neck cancers and clinical N0 neck. For oncologic reasons, this procedure is generally recommended with acceptable functional and aesthetic results, especially under the aspect of the mentioned staging procedure. In this review article, current aspects on pre- and posttherapeutic staging of the cervical lymph nodes are described and the indication and the necessary extent of neck dissection for head and neck cancer is discussed. Additionally the critical question is discussed if the lymph node metastasis bears an intrinsic risk of metastatic development and thus its removal in a most possible early stage plays an important role.

Experience and analysis of Delphian lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background

Recently, lymph node metastasis (LNM) has been regarded as an important factor influencing loco-regional recurrence and survival rate in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. The aims of this study were to investigate the detection rate and metastasis rate of the Delphian lymph node (DLN) and clinical patterns related to regional LNM, and to examine how DLN metastasis affects PTC treatment.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 413 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC from among 452 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2010 and October 2010 in the Department of Endocrine Surgery at Kosin University Gospel Hospital in Busan, South Korea.

Results

Multivariate analyses revealed a significantly higher proportion of cases with lymphovascular invasion (56.6% vs. 12.5%, P <0.001), central neck node metastasis (88.6% vs. 34.5%, P <0.001) and lateral neck node metastasis (47.2% vs. 10.2%, P <0.005) among cases with DLN metastasis compared to those without. The negative predictive value (NPV) of DLN metastasis with regard to the presence of contralateral central LNM for cases with a tumor size 1 cm or smaller than 1 cm was found to be 93.3% (127/136).

Conclusion

When DLN metastasis is not detected in papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC), thyroid lobectomy on the affected side and ipsilateral central neck lymph node dissection should be sufficient. In addition, even in cases where lateral neck LNM is not detected on preoperative examination, if DLN metastasis is detected postoperatively, more careful attention should be paid to the lateral neck nodes during follow-up.

Outcome analyses of unusual site neck recurrence in oral cavity cancer

AIM

To understand the frequency, clinical significance, and benefits of salvage therapy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients with regional nodal recurrence at unusual sites (prelaryngeal area, parotid area, and retropharyngeal area).

METHODS

We examined 178 patients with neck recurrence at levels I-V (usual group) and 26 patients outside levels I-V (unusual group). The 5-year survival rates served as the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

Of the 26 unusual group patients, the neck recurrence sites were as follows: 5 at the prelaryngeal area, 13 at the parotid area, and 8 at the retropharyngeal area. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that poor differentiation, pN2, extracapsular spread (ECS), tumor depth≥10 mm, relapse time≤10 months, local recurrence, neck recurrence at unusual sites, and distant metastases were independent prognostic factors for 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS), whereas pN2, ECS, tumor depth≥10 mm, relapse time≤10 months, neck recurrence at unusual sites, and distant metastases were independent prognostic factors for 5-year overall survival (OS). The 6-month and 18-month survival rates after the N-relapse date for the salvaged-usual group, the salvaged-unusual group, and the nonsalvaged patients were 73%/46%, 40%/0%, and 10%/0% (P<0.0001), respectively [DSS: salvaged-unusual group (hazard ratio/95 % confidence interval), 2.060/1.058-4.008, P=0.033; salvaged-usual group, 6.420/4.340-9.496, P<0.001; OS: salvaged-unusual group, 2.100/1.080-4.081, P=0.029; salvaged-usual group, 6.514/4.418-9.606, P<0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that OSCC patients with regional nodal recurrence at unusual sites had poor outcomes.

Central compartment dissection for well differentiated thyroid cancer … and the band plays on

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The role of central compartment dissection in the surgical management of well differentiated thyroid cancer is controversial. Lack of high-quality prospective studies results in management decisions being based on expert opinions and weaker levels of evidence. The American Thyroid Association has recently revised its management guidelines with particular emphasis on this topic, and a separate working group has set out to define the surgical anatomy that encompasses this procedure.

RECENT FINDINGS

Central compartment dissection comprises the removal of nodal tissue from the prelaryngeal, pretracheal and paratracheal compartments, with no role for berry-picking procedures. There is universal agreement that therapeutic nodal dissection should be performed in patients with metastatic disease detected either through preoperative imaging or during intraoperative evaluation of the central compartment, with either visual inspection or frozen-section pathology. In contrast, there may be limited benefit from routine prophylactic central compartment dissection, for either disease recurrence or survival outcomes. As such, it should be performed only in patients deemed high risk: larger tumors, extra-thyroidal extension or aggressive histologic subtypes.

SUMMARY

Future studies should focus on identifying the subpopulation of patients who would most benefit from these procedures and spare low-risk patients from the unwanted complications.