Ultrasound Features and Postoperative Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

This retrospective study aimed to identify preoperative ultrasonographic factors associated with the recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total of 146 patients diagnosed with PTC, confirmed by postoperative pathology, were divided into two groups: those with recurrence (n=35) and those without recurrence (n=111). The study examined various preoperative ultrasound features, including tumor size, location, number of tumors, presence of focal strong echogenicity, abnormal lymph nodes, thyroid invasion, and thyroiditis. The objective was to explore potential risk factors for recurrence and assess the consistency between ultrasound and pathological findings. The results revealed significant differences between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups in terms of the maximum tumor diameter and the presence of thyroid invasion (P<0.05). A cutoff value of 13.750 mm for tumor diameter was identified as a key diagnostic indicator for recurrence risk. Furthermore, there was good consistency between ultrasound and postoperative pathology in determining the number of tumors, moderate consistency in assessing lymph node metastasis, and excellent consistency in detecting thyroid invasion. The study concluded that preoperative ultrasonography, particularly the evaluation of maximum tumor diameter and thyroid invasion, can serve as valuable indicators for predicting the risk of recurrence in PTC. Additionally, the consistency between ultrasound and pathology in tumor number and thyroid invasion further supports the utility of ultrasound in preoperative assessment. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating ultrasound findings into the management and risk stratification of PTC patients.