Association of BRAF V600E mutation with ultrasonographic features and clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A retrospective study of 116 cases

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the association of BRAF^V600E mutation with ultrasonographic (US) features and clinicopathologic characteristics in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

We retrospectively reviewed 116 consecutive Chinese patients with PTMC diagnosed by postoperative pathology. The incidence of the BRAF^V600E mutation was calculated. The US features and clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between BRAF-positive and BRAF-negative patients.

RESULTS:

The BRAF^V600E mutation was detected in 60.3% of patients (70 of 116). Multifocality (OR: 3.681, P = 0.031), non-parallel orientation (OR: 3.181, P = 0.041) and lymph node metastasis (OR: 4.615, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with BRAF^V600E mutation. Other US and clinicopathologic characteristics were not significantly related to the presence of BRAF mutation.

CONCLUSION:

Multifocality, non-parallel orientation and cervical lymph node metastasis are risk factors for BRAF^V600E mutation in PTMC. These factors potentially guide treatment planning or prognosis evaluation.