Objective To investigate the correlation between the characteristics of clinic

gray-scale sonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound of solitary papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) and central lymph node metastasis(CLNM). Methods Retrospective analysis of 290 cases of solitary PTC examined by our hospital and confirmed by surgical pathology based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria from January 2018 to February 2023. All cases was divided into the group with metastasis (114 cases) and without metastasis (176 cases) according to the presence or absence of CLNM. Relevant clinical and ultrasound features were recorded

univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze the correlation. Meanwhile

receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the efficacy. Results Univariate analysis suggested that gender

age

hashimoto’s thyroiditis(HT)

nodule size

composition

echo homogeneity

A/T

microcalcification

perinodular thyroid perineural continuity

enhancement degree and enhancement uniformity were related with CLNM(all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that male

less than 35 years old

nodule size larger than 1.00cm

microcalcification and interruption of the perinodular thyroid peritoneum were independent risk factors of CLNM in solitary PTC; HT (OR=0.312) was a protective factor for CLNM(P < 0.05). The AUC of the ROC curve was 0.864 (95% CI 0. 823-0.906)

sensitivity 86.0% and specificity 76.1%. Conclusions When patients with solitary PTC are male

less than 35 years

nodule size larger than 1.00 cm

with microcalcifications and interrupted thyroid perineurium

the risk of CLNM is promoted. HT is a protective factor against CLNM.