Association of BRAFV600E mutation with ultrasonographic features and clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A retrospective study of 116 cases

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.