Nomogram for predicting skip metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid cancer patients at increased risk of lymph node metastasis.

Background: Skip lymph node metastasis (SLNM) refers to lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) without involving central lymph node (CLN). Some microscopic nodal positivity may be difficult to detect before surgery due to atypical imaging characteristics. These patients are misdiagnosed as having clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) even after central lymph node dissection, leading to a high risk of developing LNM after surgery.