THE SOLITARY CYSTIC LYMPH NODE METASTASIS OF THYROID PAPILLARY CARCINOMA

Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi, KBB Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye The first or the sole symptom of thyroid papillary cancer may be solitary cystic lymph node metastasis in the neck. The medical records of 40 male (85.1%) and 7 female (14.9%) cases who presented with a cystic mass in the neck were reviewed. Histopathological evaluations of those revealed 28 (59.6 %) branchial cysts, 14 (29.8%) thyroglossal cysts and 5 (10.6%) cystic lymph node metastasis of thyroid papillary cancer. Thyroid papillary cancer metastasis was distinguished in only one case preoperatively, although ultrasonography, computerized tomography and fine needle aspiration biopsies were performed for every case of metastasis. Keeping this rare entity in mind and carefully evaluation of the radiological features may prevent misdiagnosis of the solitary cystic masses in the neck. Keywords : Thyroid papillary cancer, metastasis, cyst, lymph node