Ultrasound-guided needle localization of recurrent paratracheal thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided needle localization techniques have been used to direct the resection of targeted axillary lymph nodes in the management of breast cancer. To date, there has been only one other description of this technique as a localization method to direct cancer resection in the neck. We offer further support for the broader application of this technique by reporting its use in the successful identification and resection of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer after a paratracheal node dissection failed to localize the cancer.
METHODS: We report a case and discuss the relevant literature regarding ultrasound-guided localization and resection of recurrent well-differentiated thyroid cancer.
RESULTS: We were able to achieve successful identification and resection of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer using this technique.
CONCLUSIONS: This technique may be useful in the treatment of selected cases of recurrent thyroid cancer to increase the efficacy and safety of surgical resection.