Use of Delphian lymph node metastasis to predict central and lateral involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Whether Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis is a reliable predictor of widespread lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis investigated the value of DLN metastasis for predicting central and lateral involvement in PTC.

Design and methods: A literature search using the PubMed, SCIE and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted. Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated the studies for inclusion. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to analyse the data based on their heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis was performed, and publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's linear regression test.

Results: Data from 10 studies were analysed. The risk of central lymph node (CLN) metastasis was significantly higher in the DLN-positive group than in the DLN-negative group (OR = 9.05, 95% CI: 5.13-15.99) with moderate heterogeneity (P = 0.022, I² = 53.5%). The risk of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis was significantly higher in the DLN-positive group than in the negative group (OR = 10.88, 95% CI: 7.60-15.58), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.603, I² = 0.0%). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were stable and credible, and no publication bias was found.

Conclusions: Delphian lymph node metastasis is valuable for predicting central and lateral compartment involvement in patients with PTC. The DLN of PTC patients should be dissected intraoperatively and sent for frozen section consultation. If the result is positive, the CLNs should be thoroughly dissected and the LLNs should be further evaluated.

Keywords: lymph nodes; lymphatic metastasis; meta-analysis; papillary thyroid cancer; thyroid neoplasms.