Predictive factors of right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Single center experience and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND We performed this retrospective study to identify predictors of right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis, and reviewed previous studies related to this topic. METHODS Between June 2005 and March 2015, 1107 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma and underwent surgery at Pusan National University Hospital. RESULTS Right paraesophageal lymph node metastasis was observed in 171 (15.4%) patients. Multivariate analyses showed that the risk of right paraesophageal metastasis was significantly associated with tumor size, location, a higher number of metastatic central lymph nodes, and lateral lymph node metastasis. In a meta-analysis of the eligible studies, tumor size, number of metastatic central lymph nodes, and lateral lymph node metastasis showed significant relationships with the risk of right paraesophageal metastasis. CONCLUSIONS In patients with risk factors such as those identified in our study, the possibility of right paraesophageal metastasis should be kept in mind, and careful inspection and dissection are required.