Pediatric thyroid cancer: Risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in patients with cN0 papillary carcinoma

Introduction: Prophylactic central neck node dissection (CND) for pediatric patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is still controversial. We aimed to identify the incidence and the predictive parameters of the central lymph node metastasis (CLN) in pediatric patients with cN0 PTC. Methods: This retrospective study had included 32 pediatric patients with cN0 PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CND from 2015 to 2019. Results: The proportion of CLN metastasis was 75.0%. Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that CLN metastasis was associated with age (<= 15 years; p = 0.028), tumour size > 1 cm (p = 0.008), multifocality (p = 0.028) and external extension (p = 0.041) Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age (<= 15 years), multifocality, tumour size ( > 1 cm) and external extension were independent risk factors of CLN metastasis in pediatric patients. Conclusions: In summary, central lymph node metastasis occurred in 75% of cN0 pediatric patient and were more common in larger tumour size (> 1 cm), multifocal tumours, extrathyroidal extension, and younger age.