Significance and management of thyroid lesions in lymph nodes as an incidental finding during neck dissection

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidental discovery of thyroid lesions in lymph nodes during a lymph node dissection performed for a separate primary head and neck tumor is an unusual clinical entity. Its discovery has led to controversy regarding its significance and management. METHODS: We identified five patients over the years 1991-1999 with this finding. All five patients were subsequently treated with a total thyroidectomy and a level VI lymph node dissection. RESULTS: Pathological examination revealed three papillary carcinomas and level VI lymph node metastases in the two patients who had carcinoma in their thyroid glands. All five patients are presently free of their primary and thyroid disease on follow-up examinations. CONCLUSIONS: These patients should be addressed with additional work-up and surgery if metastatic thyroid cancer is documented in the lymph node. We offer a diagnostic algorithm that may aid in further work-up and treatment in these unusual cases.