Patterns of Lymph Node Metastasis in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer; Clinical Implications with Particular Emphasis on the Emerging Role of Compartment-Oriented Lymph Node Dissection.

Recent advances in modern imaging allow an accurate identification of involved or suspicious lymph nodes within the nodal compartments of the neck. Careful ultrasonographic lymphatic mapping of the neck by an experienced radiologist allows a targeted, compartment-oriented (or selective) lymph node dissection to be performed instead of the more extensive modified radical lymph node dissection. Compartment-oriented lymph node dissection necessitates the close cooperation of an experienced radiologist with a particular interest in thyroid and neck ultrasonography.