Intraoperative Frozen Biopsy of Central Lymph Node in the Management of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of intraoperative frozen section examination in the diagnosis of metastatic central lymph nodes in comparison to the final histopathological findings. A retrospective review was performed to evaluate patients with a preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and a plan to perform thyroid lobectomy at our Hospital from September 2011 to September 2013. Sixteen patients were identified. Intraoperative frozen section examination diagnosed ten patients as negative malignant cells of the central lymph node and the remaining six patients as metastatic central lymph node. The final histopathological results corresponded with intraoperative frozen section examination. Intraoperative frozen section examination had a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 100 % for diagnosing metastatic central lymph nodes of PTMC. Intraoperative frozen section examination of central lymph nodes is a useful and accurate adjunct for determining the operation method in PTMC.