Intraoperative Frozen Biopsy for the Evaluation of Extrathyroidal Extension in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

• DOI: 10.1177/0194599814541629a108
• Publication Date: 2014-09-03T06:08:22Z
• Authors: Young Min Park; Young Dae Park; Won Yong Lee; Jin‐Choon Lee; Soo‐Geun Wang; Byung‐Joo Lee
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

Objectives:We investigated extrathyroidal extension (ETE) through frozen biopsy for intraoperative decision‐making in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).Methods:During the period of the study an operation was performed in 268 patients with PTC and ETE was evaluated using intraoperative frozen biopsies of thyroid tissue.Results:ETE was confirmed in 54 patients (20%) on frozen biopsy. Fifty‐three patients among 54 patients showing ETE on frozen biopsy were confirmed on permanent pathologic analysis. Accordingly, frozen biopsy had a sensitivity of 66%, a specificity of 99%, a positive predictive value of 98%, and a negative predictive value of 87%. Tumor size (odds ratio 4.373; confidence interval 2.257‐8.475, P <. 001) was an independent factor for predicting ETE on frozen biopsy.Conclusions:Intraoperative frozen biopsy can be a useful tool in identifying the presence of ETE. It can also help the operator decide the extent of surgery and central neck dissection in patients with PTC.