Alabousi M, Alabousi A, Adham S, et al. - Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that computed tomography (CT) in evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) for papillary thyroid cancer may be warranted, likely as an adjunct to ultrasonography (US). To refine CT role in this clinical scenario, further research is required.

• A total of 47 eligible studies documenting the diagnostic accuracy of US and/or CT in patients with treatment-naïve papillary thyroid cancer for CLNM and/or extrathyroidal disease extension were analyzed (encompassing 31,942 observations for thyroid cancer).

• No significant difference was found between US and CT in terms of sensitivity (73% and 77%, respectively) or specificity (89% and 88%, respectively) for lateral compartment CLNM.

• For detection of central compartment metastasis, CT showed more sensitivity, while US was more specific.

• For extrathyroidal extension, US showed a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 47%.