Lymph node metastasis in suprasternal space in pathological node-positive papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Background: The objective of the current study was to investigate the clinical significance of the suprasternal space lymph node (SSLN) in pathological node-positive (pN+) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

Method: One hundred and forty patients with pN + PTC who underwent neck dissection were enrolled into this study. SSLN was resected and used as a specimen to investigate the relationship of SSLN with several clinicopathological parameters.

Results: The metastasis rate of SSLN was 20.7%. On univariate analysis, we found that SSLN metastasis was significantly associated with primary cancer site (inferior portion), strap muscle invasion, level III metastasis, Level IV metastasis and lymph node metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles. On multivariate analysis, primary cancer site (inferior portion), strap muscle invasion, Level IV metastasis and lymph node metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles were independent risk factors for SSLN metastasis of PTC.

Conclusion: For pN + PTC patients, special attention should be paid to the issue of SSLN metastasis.

Keywords: Clinicopathological parameters; Neck dissection; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Strap muscle; Suprasternal space lymph node.