Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39557719›Full record

ArticleAnnals of surgical oncology2025

Ultrasound Visualization of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Prospective Clinical Validation Study.

Xiang-Yun Yao, Xin Li, Bo Yu, Shi-Rong Liu, Bing-Yan Wang, Si-Yi Lu, Hui-Wen Li, Shi-Bing Song, Li-Gang Cui, Shi Tan

Abstract readValidation Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of surgical oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xiang-Yun Yao *Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Xin Li *Department of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Bo YuDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Shi-Rong LiuDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Bing-Yan WangDepartment of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Si-Yi LuDepartment of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Hui-Wen LiDepartment of Ultrasound, Ordos Central Hospital, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China.
Shi-Bing SongDepartment of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Li-Gang CuiDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Shi TanDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, China. tanshi@hsc.pku.edu.cn.

Funding

Demonstration study on the clinical application evaluation of domestic high-end medical imaging equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases in major countries along the "Belt and Road" 2023YFC2414200
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to optimize a lateral transthyroid approach by using high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) for recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) visualization. PATIENTS AND

methodsIn this prospective study of 85 patients undergoing thyroidectomy, the RLN was visualized preoperatively by using a lateral transthyroid approach via HRUS. The inferior thyroid artery, thyroid nodule, and cricoid cartilage were used as landmarks. RLN visibility was graded from poor to excellent. The accuracy of the preoperative localization of the RLN was determined by intraoperative HRUS, neuromonitoring, and surgical findings.

resultsRLN visualization and localization were verified intraoperatively by ultrasound-guided stimulation via a neuromonitoring probe in eight patients with extended incisions owing to the need for neck dissection. A total of 110 RLNs were present in 85 patients, and the locations of 103 RLNs detected by preoperative ultrasound were confirmed intraoperatively, with an accuracy rate of 93.6%. All detected RLNs were well visualized at the inferior thyroid artery and thyroid nodule levels. The RLN was visible in 83.5% of cases at the cricoid cartilage level. The maximum short-axis diameter and cross-sectional area of the RLN at all three levels were significantly larger in males than in females (p < 0.05). In total, ten RLNs were bifurcated and two showed tumor invasions. These findings were confirmed intraoperatively.

conclusionsEffective RLN visualization can be achieved using a lateral transthyroid approach via HRUS. The precise localization, prediction of anatomic variation, and invasion of RLN provide significant advantages in the individualized treatment, surgical planning, and nerve protection of patients with thyroid lesions.

Indexed as

Recurrent Laryngeal NerveThyroidectomyThyroid NeoplasmsUltrasonographyAdultAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisProspective StudiesThyroid NoduleYoung AdultRecurrent laryngeal nerveThyroidectomyTransthyroidUltrasonographyVisualization

Identifiers

PMID39557719

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.