To develop a novel colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (CGICA) for the rapid detection of thyroglobulin, facilitating the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).
Approach:
Sample Collection: 185 serum samples and 120 lymph node samples were collected from patients scheduled for thyroid lateral neck lymph node resection or biopsy.
Assay Methods: The CGICA method was compared with the traditional Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) using paraffin pathology results as the gold standard.
Key Findings:
The CGICA method showed comparable performance to the Roche ECLIA method in detecting serum samples (r=0.996).
In lymph node specimens, CGICA demonstrated greater sensitivity (90%) compared to Roche ECLIA (86.25%).
CGICA provided diagnostic accuracy similar to intraoperative frozen section histopathology.
Interpretation:
The CGICA method facilitates rapid quantification of thyroglobulin, aiding in the swift identification of cervical lymph node metastases in thyroid cancer patients.
Limitations:
The study was conducted in a single center, which may limit generalizability.
Further validation in larger, multi-center studies is needed.
Conclusion:
The CGICA method is effective for detecting thyroglobulin and may enhance the preoperative assessment of lymph node metastasis in DTC.
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