Association between the BRAFV600E mutation and ultrasonographic features in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a study of 131 Chinese cases

To investigate the incidence of BRAF(V600E) mutation in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and analyze the association between BRAF(V600E) mutation and ultrasonographic (US) features. From October 2015 to December 2017, we retrospectively investigated 131 consecutive Chinese patients with PTC confirmed by postoperative pathology. The incidence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the association between BRAF(V600E) mutation and US features. A scoring system was created for diagnostic value in predicting BRAF(V600E) mutation. There were 131 PTCs confirmed by postoperative pathology. The BRAF(V600E) mutation was observed in 61.8% of PTC (81 of 131). Marked hypoechogenicity (OR: 7.323, P = 0.003), multifocality (OR: 2.911, P = 0.024), microcalcification (OR: 4.244, P = 0.006) and lymph node metastasis (OR: 4.524, P = 0.004) on US were independent predictive factors for the BRAF(V600E) mutation. The evaluation of all above suspicious US features revealed the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were further increased to 100% and 100%, respectively. The BRAF(V600E) mutation commonly occurrences in Chinese patients with PTC. US features including marked hypoechogenicity, multifocality, microcalcification and lymph node metastasis, can reliably predict the BRAF(V600E) mutation in PTC. Multiple malignant US features would enhance the specificity and PPV of predicting BRAF(V600E) mutation in PTC patients.