Ultrasound lymphatic imaging for the diagnosis of metastatic central lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer

The Association of Pretreatment Systemic Immune Inflammatory Response Index (SII) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) with Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective

Immunoinflammatory response can participate in the development of cancer. To investigate the relationship between pretreatment systemic immune inflammatory response index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 547 PTC patients treated in Meizhou People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021. Clinicopathological data were collected, including gender, age, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, maximum tumor diameter, extra-membrane infiltration, disease stage, BRAF V600E mutation, pretreatment inflammatory index levels, and lymph node metastasis. The optimal cutoff values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and LMR were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the relationship between inflammatory indexes and other clinicopathological features and lymph node metastasis was analyzed.

Results

There were 303 (55.4%) PTC patients with lymph node metastasis. The levels of SII, SIRI, NLR, and PLR in patients with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those in patients without lymph node metastasis, while the levels of LMR were significantly lower than those in patients without lymph node metastasis (all p<0.05). When lymph node metastasis was taken as the endpoint, the critical value of SII was 625.375, the SIRI cutoff value was 0.705, the NLR cutoff value was 1.915 (all area under the ROC curve >0.6). The results of regression logistic analysis showed that age <55 years old (OR: 1.626, 95% CI: 1.009-2.623, p=0.046), maximum tumor diameter >1cm (OR: 2.681, 95% CI: 1.819-3.952, p<0.001), BRAF V600E mutation (OR: 2.709, 95% CI: 1.542-4.759, p=0.001), SII positive (≥625.375/<625.375, OR: 2.663, 95% CI: 1.560-4.546, p<0.001), and NLR positive (≥1.915/<1.915, OR: 1.808, 95% CI: 1.118-2.923, p=0.016) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of PTC.

Conclusion

Age <55 years old, maximum tumor diameter >1cm, BRAF V600E mutation, SII positive, and NLR positive were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in PTC.

Enhanced stiffness in peri-cancerous tissue: a marker of poor prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. Notably, there is evidence suggesting an association between tissue stiffness and the aggressiveness of the disease. We therefore aimed to explore the effect of tissue stiffness on LNM-related invasiveness in PTC patients.

METHOD

A total of 2492 PTC patients from 3 hospitals were divided into an LNM group and a non-LNM group based on their pathological results. The effects of interior lesion stiffness (E) and peri-cancerous tissue stiffness (Eshell) on the LNM-related recurrence rate and mortality in each patient with PTC subgroup were analyzed. The activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and extracellular matrix component type 1 collagen (COL-I) in the lesion were compared and analyzed across different subgroups. The underlying biological basis of differences in each subgroup was identified using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data.

RESULTS

The Eshell value and Eshell/E in the LNM group were significantly higher than those in the non-LNM group of patients with PTC (Eshell: 72.72 ± 5.63 vs 66.05 ± 4.46; Eshell/E: 1.20 ± 1.72 vs 1.09 ± 1.10, P < .001). When Eshell/E > 1.412 and LNM were both present, the recurrence rate and mortality were significantly increased compared to those of group of patients with LNM (91.67% and 7.29%, respectively). The CAF activation and COL-I content in the Eshell/E+ group were significantly higher than those in the Eshell/E- group (all P < .001), and the RNA-seq results revealed significant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the LNM-Eshell/E+ group.

CONCLUSIONS

Stiff peri-cancerous tissue induced CAF activation, COL-I deposition, and ECM remodeling, resulting in a poor prognosis for PTC patients with LNM.

Predicting central cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a practical nomogram based on retrospective study

Background

In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), preoperative ultrasonography frequently reveals the presence of enlarged lymph nodes in the central neck region. These nodes pose a diagnostic challenge due to their potential resemblance to metastatic lymph nodes, thereby impacting the surgical decision-making process for clinicians in terms of determining the appropriate surgical extent.

Methods

Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors associated with central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in PTC patients with HT. Then a prediction model was developed and visualized using a nomogram. The stability of the model was assessed using ten-fold cross-validation. The performance of the model was further evaluated through the use of ROC curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.

Results

A total of 376 HT PTC patients were included in this study, comprising 162 patients with CLNM and 214 patients without CLNM. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, Tg-Ab level, tumor size, punctate echogenic foci, and blood flow grade were identified as independent risk factors associated with the development of CLNM in HT PTC. The area under the curve (AUC) of this model was 0.76 (95% CI [0.71-0.80]). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value of the model were determined to be 88%, 51%, 67%, and 57%, respectively.

Conclusions

The proposed clinic-ultrasound-based nomogram in this study demonstrated a favorable performance in predicting CLNM in HT PTCs. This predictive tool has the potential to assist clinicians in making well-informed decisions regarding the appropriate extent of surgical intervention for patients.

Analysis of differentially expressed proteins in lymph fluids related to lymphatic metastasis in a breast cancer rabbit model guided by contrast‑enhanced ultrasound

The aim of the present study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in the lymph fluid of rabbits with breast cancer lymphatic metastasis compared with healthy rabbits and to analyze and verify these proteins using proteomics technologies. In the process of breast cancer metastasis, the composition of the lymph fluid will also change. Rabbits with breast cancer lymph node metastasis and normal rabbits were selected for analysis. Lymph fluid was extracted under the guidance of percutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to detect and compare differences between the rabbit cancer model and healthy rabbits and differential protein expression results were obtained. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analysis software, selecting the most significantly differentially expressed proteins. Finally, parallel reaction monitoring technology was applied for validation. A total of 547 significantly differentially expressed proteins were found in the present study, which included 371 upregulated proteins and 176 downregulated proteins. The aforementioned genes were mainly involved in various cellular and metabolic pathways, including upregulated proteins, such as biliverdin reductase A and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 and downregulated proteins, such as pyridoxal kinase. The upregulated proteins protein disulfide-isomerase 3, protein kinase cAMP-dependent type I regulatory subunit α and ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 4 participated in immune regulation, endocrine regulation and anti-tumor drug resistance regulation, respectively. Compared with healthy rabbits, rabbits with breast cancer metastasis differentially expressed of a number of different proteins in their lymph, which participate in the pathophysiological process of tumor occurrence and metastasis. Through further research, these differential proteins can be used as predictive indicators of breast cancer metastasis and new therapeutic targets.

Ultrasound radiomics signature for predicting central lymph node metastasis in clinically node-negative papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Whether prophylactic central lymph node dissection is necessary for patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remains controversial. Herein, we aimed to establish an ultrasound (US) radiomics (Rad) score for assessing the probability of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in such patients.

METHODS

480 patients (327 in the training cohort, 153 in the validation cohort) who underwent thyroid surgery for cN0 PTMC at two institutions between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. Radiomics features were extracted from the US images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression were utilized to generate a Rad score. A nomogram consisting of the Rad score and clinical factors was then constructed for the training cohort. Both cohorts assessed model performance using discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness.

RESULTS

Based on the six most valuable radiomics features, the Rad score was calculated for each patient. A multivariate analysis revealed that a higher Rad score (P < 0.001), younger age (P = 0.006), and presence of capsule invasion (P = 0.030) were independently associated with CLNM. A nomogram integrating these three factors demonstrated good calibration and promising clinical utility in the training and validation cohorts. The nomogram yielded areas under the curve of 0.795 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.745-0.846) and 0.774 (95% CI, 0.696-0.852) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiomics nomogram may be a clinically useful tool for the individual prediction of CLNM in patients with cN0 PTMC.

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.

A clinical and molecular pathology prediction model for central lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The frequency of thyroid cancer has rapidly increased in recent years globally. Thus, more papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients are being diagnosed, including clinical lymph node-negative (cN0) patients. Our study attempted to develop a prediction model for assessing the probability of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in cN0 PTMC patients.

METHODS

A total of 595 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort: 456 patients) and the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University (verification cohort: 139 patients) who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2020 and May 2022 were enrolled in this study. Their clinical and molecular pathology data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression to identify independent factors, and then we established a prediction model to assess the risk of CLNM in cN0 PTMC patients.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sex, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, TERT promoter mutations and NRAS mutation were independent factors of CLNM. The prediction model demonstrated good discrimination ability (C-index: 0.757 and 0.753 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively). The calibration curve of the model was near the optimum diagonal line, and decision curve analysis (DCA) showed a noticeably better benefit.

CONCLUSION

CLNM in cN0 PTMC patients is associated with male sex, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, HT, TERT promoter mutations and NRAS mutation. The prediction model exhibits good discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness. This model will help to assess CLNM risk and make clinical decisions in cN0 PTMC patients.

Microbubble contrast agent SonoVue: An efficient medium for the preoperative lymphatic mapping of thyroid carcinoma

Objective: To assess the value of microbubble contrast agent SonoVue in the thorough preoperative lymphatic mapping of patients with thyroid carcinoma, including the lymphatic drainage region, the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN), and the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Materials and methods: 55 patients with 62 thyroid malignancies proved by surgical pathology (59 papillary thyroid carcinomas and three medullary thyroid carcinomas) who underwent preoperative lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (LCEUS) with microbubble contrast agent SonoVue were enrolled. All LNM were confirmed by pathology. The location of thyroid lesions, ultrasonic features of lymph nodes, lymphatic drainage region, and detection of SLN were assessed. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy) of different parameters for the LNM diagnosis was calculated. Results: SonoVue effectively demonstrated the lymphatic drainage region for all enrolled thyroid carcinomas. The most common lymphatic drainage region for thyroid carcinomas was region VI (93.55%), followed by region III (62.90%), region IV (48.39%) and region II (4.84%). When divided by the lesion location, the most common lymphatic drainage regions for the nodule in isthmus, superior lobe and inferior lobe of the thyroid were region VI, region III, and region VI respectively. SLN was detected in 96.77% (60/62) of cases. The two cases without SLN demonstration had pathologically proven LNM. The most common sonographic sign of LNM was perfusion defect (54.17%). The diagnostic accuracy of SonoVue in central and lateral compartment LNM was 86.67% and 91.67%, respectively. Conclusion: Microbubble contrast agent SonoVue is a valuable imaging contrast medium for thorough preoperative lymphatic mapping in patients with thyroid carcinoma, including the lymphatic drainage region, the detection of SLN, and the diagnosis of LNM. LCEUS with SonoVue alone has limitations of false negatives when there is lymphatic vessel obstruction and may need to be combined with other ultrasound modalities.

Differential Diagnosis Value of Shear-Wave Elastography for Superficial Enlarged Lymph Nodes

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and diagnostic threshold of conventional US and shear-wave elastography (SWE) in superficial enlarged lymph nodes (LNs).

Methods

A total of 204 patients with superficial enlarged LNs were enrolled in this retrospective study aged 46.0 ± 15.2 years from March 2020 to March 2021. LNs with a long axis larger than 0.7 cm were considered as superficial enlarged. Before the histological biopsy, LNs that were considered suspicious according to both conventional US and SWE were included, while LNs with no or unclear pathological results, or with no satisfactory SWE images, were excluded. The conventional and 2-D SWE examinations were performed with Aplio i800 and Acuson sequoia equipped with i18LX5 linear-array transducer (5-18 MHz) and 10L4 linear-array transducer (4-10 MHz), respectively. Both E Median and Vs Median parameters were investigated by two senior ultrasound physicians. The pathological results were performed as the gold standard.

Results

Variables including transverse axis size, lymphatic hilum, L/T ratio, echogenicity, and color Doppler pattern were considered significant. The mean E Median value in benign, metastatic LNs, and lymphoma were 28.26 ± 8.87 kPa, 77.46 ± 22.85 kPa, and 50.37 ± 5.41 kPa (p <0.001), while Vs Median values were 3.02 ± 0.50 m/s, 4.87 ± 0.90 m/s, and 4.09 ± 0.22 m/s, respectively (p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance indicated the high sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of conventional US combined with SWE. The optimal cutoff values of E Median and Vs Median for predicting malignant LNs were 42.90 kPa and 3.73 m/s, respectively. As AUC value, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV revealed, the indexes of E Median were 0.976, 0.927, 0.975, 0.946, 0.983, and 0.897, respectively, while Vs Median were 0.970, 0.927, 0.963, 0.941, 0.975, and 0.895, respectively (p <0.001). The ROC curves of both E Median (AUC=0.976) Vs Median (AUC=0.970) suggested the remarkable diagnostic efficiency in distinguishing benignity between suspected malignant LNs.

Conclusions

Above results indicated that conventional US together with 2-D SWE could elevate the diagnostic performance. Meanwhile, the parameters of 2-D SWE including E Median and Vs Median could effectively assess malignant LNs, which provide valuable differentiating information in superficial enlarged LNs.

Analysis of the Application Value of Ultrasound Imaging Diagnosis in the Clinical Staging of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer affects 1.3 percent of the population, with rates of occurrence rising in recent years (approximately 2 percent per year). Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine cancer with an annual increase in occurrence. Although the general prognosis for differentiated subtypes is favorable, the rate of mortality linked with thyroid cancer has been steadily progressing. The presence of suspicious thyroid nodules necessitates more diagnostic testing, including laboratory evaluation, additional imaging, and biopsy. For clinical staging and appropriate patient therapy design, accurate diagnosis is necessary. In this paper, we examined the application value of ultrasound imaging diagnosis in the clinical staging of thyroid tumor in this research. The benefit of early diagnosis is determined in this article using ultrasonography reports from Chinese patients. Images of benign and malignant thyroid nodules were collected and annotated in this work, and deep learning-based image recognition and diagnostic system was built utilizing the adaptive wavelet transform-based AdaBoost algorithm (AWT-AA). The system's efficacy in diagnosing thyroid nodules was assessed, and the use of ultrasound imaging in clinical practice was studied. The variables that had a significant impact on malignant nodules were studied using logistic multiple regression analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) categorization outcomes for benign and malignant tumors were also calculated.

Comprehensive Risk System Based on Shear Wave Elastography and BI-RADS Categories in Assessing Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis of Invasive Breast Cancer—A Multicenter Study

Purpose

To develop a risk stratification system that can predict axillary lymph node (LN) metastasis in invasive breast cancer based on the combination of shear wave elastography (SWE) and conventional ultrasound.

Materials and Methods

A total of 619 participants pathologically diagnosed with invasive breast cancer underwent breast ultrasound examinations were recruited from a multicenter of 17 hospitals in China from August 2016 to August 2017. Conventional ultrasound and SWE features were compared between positive and negative LN metastasis groups. The regression equation, the weighting, and the counting methods were used to predict axillary LN metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated.

Results

A significant difference was found in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category, the “stiff rim” sign, minimum elastic modulus of the internal tumor and peritumor region of 3 mm between positive and negative LN groups (p < 0.05 for all). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic performance of the regression equation, the weighting, and the counting methods (p > 0.05 for all). Using the counting method, a 0–4 grade risk stratification system based on the four characteristics was established, which yielded an AUC of 0.656 (95% CI, 0.617–0.693, p < 0.001), a sensitivity of 54.60% (95% CI, 46.9%–62.1%), and a specificity of 68.99% (95% CI, 64.5%–73.3%) in predicting axillary LN metastasis.

Conclusion

A 0–4 grade risk stratification system was developed based on SWE characteristics and BI-RADS categories, and this system has the potential to predict axillary LN metastases in invasive breast cancer.

Ultrasonography-Guided Thermal Ablation for Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis of Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Is it Superior to Surgical Resection?

AIM

The study aimed to systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography-guided percutaneous thermal ablation in the treatment of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Embase, and Cochrane were examined. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined and the relevant data were extracted from the library and other databases for LNM thermal ablation of recurrent PTC. The data were analyzed using Stata15.1, Revman5.3 software, and the standard errors of 95% confidence intervals were estimated using fixed or random effects models. Volume reduction rate (VRR), Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level before and after thermal ablation, the total complications and major complications incidence were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 18 literature articles were included, namely, 10 radiofrequency ablation (RFA), 4 laser ablation (LA), and 4 microwave ablation (MWA). A total of 321 patients had 498 LNM. LNM volume changes before and at the last follow-up of thermal ablation (SMD = 1.04, I² = 8%, 95% CI 0.86-1.21, P <0.0001). The postoperative lymph node VRR was 88.4% (95% CI 77.8-97.3%, I² = 34%, P = 0.14). Tg measurements before and after thermal ablation (SMD = 1.15, 95% CI 0.69-1.60, I² = 84%, P <0.0001). The incidence of total complications was 5.0% (95% CI 3.0-7.0%, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.915), and the incidence of major complications was 4.0% (95% CI 2.0-6.0%, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.888). A total of 131 LNM were located in the central region, and the major complication rate was 12.0% (95% CI 6.0-18.0%, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.653).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography-guided thermal ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of LNM of recurrent PTC. The ablation strategy of central LNM needs to be further explored and improved. It can be used as an alternative to surgery for patients with high surgical risk or who refuse resurgery.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

10.37766/inplasy2022.6.0004, identifier INPLASY202260004.

Ultrasound and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Characteristics Associated With cN1 and Microscopic pN1 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Lymph node metastases (LNMs) could be stratified into clinical N1 (cN1) and microscopic pN1 (pathological N1), which bear different biological behavior and prognosis. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between LNMs and primary tumor's US (ultrasound) and CEUS (contrast-enhanced ultrasound) characteristics based on the stratification of LNMs into cN1 and microscopic pN1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

From August 2019 to May 2020, 444 consecutive PTC patients who underwent preoperative neck US and CEUS evaluation were included. According to regional lymph node status, the patients were classified into cN1 group versus cN0 (clinical N0) group and microscopic pN1 group versus pN0 (pathological N0) group. For multiple PTCs, the largest one was selected for the evaluation of US, CEUS and clinical features. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of cN1 and microscopic pN1.

RESULTS

85 cN1 versus 359 cN0 patients and 117 microscopic pN1 versus 242 pN0 patients were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that <55-years-old (OR: 2.56 (1.08-6.04), male [OR: 2.18 (1.22-3.91)], large size [OR: 2.59 (1.71-3.92)], calcification [OR: 3.88 (1.58-9.51)], and hyper-enhancement [OR: 2.78 (1.22-6.30)] were independent risk factors of cN1, while <55-years-old [OR: 1.91 (1.04-3.51)], large size [OR: 1.56 (1.003-2.42)], multifocality [OR: 1.67 (1.04-2.66)] were independent risk factors of microscopic pN1.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with PTC, young age, male, large size, calcification, and hyper-enhancement were independent predictors of cN1, while young age, large size and multifocality were independent predictors of microscopic pN1.