To investigate the role of FNAC, FNA-Tg, the ratio of FNA-Tg to serum Tg, and their combined application in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
Approach:
Study Design: Retrospective analysis of 284 patients with 319 cervical lymph node samples who underwent thyroid surgery and neck lymph node dissection.
Data Collection: Relevant indicators of thyroid status were collected from patients, including serum Tg and FNA-Tg levels.
Key Findings:
Serum Tg levels were associated with FNA-Tg levels.
The ratio of FNA-Tg to serum Tg improved the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis compared to FNA-Tg alone.
Combining FNA-Tg or its ratio with FNAC significantly increased diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value.
Interpretation:
FNA-Tg levels and the ratio of FNA-Tg to serum Tg enhance the diagnostic efficacy of FNAC for cervical LN metastasis in PTC.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may have inherent biases.
The lack of standardized diagnostic cutoff values for FNA-Tg across clinical centers.
Conclusion:
FNA-Tg and its ratio with serum Tg can improve diagnostic efficiency for cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC when combined with FNAC.
