[Dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance in preoperative localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer].

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the application of dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance in preoperative localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer.

Methods

Between October 2014 to September 2016, 25 patients with 34 lesions were enrolled. There were 22 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma and three cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma, all of which could not be detected by computed tomography. Surgeons located the recurrent lesions using dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance along with radiologist three days before the operation.

Results

All lesions were successfully located (100%), 32 of which were located directly and two of which were located indirectly. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed 25 metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma, two metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and seven cases of false positives. The accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis was 79.4%. After 15 months of follow-up, neither tumor residual nor recurrences was detected according to imaging tests.

Conclusions

Dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance represents a reliable and safe method for localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer. The cooperation between experienced surgeons and radiologists will be crucial to successful location.