Objective  To analyze the risk factors of central lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTMC) and their pathological features.

  Methods  The data of 178 patients with PTMC were analyzed retrospectively. The pathological characteristics of the patients were summerized. The risk factors of central lymph node metastasis were analyzed by Logistic regression model.

  Results  The rate of central lymph node metastasis in 178 PTMC patients was 30.9%(55/178). Single factor analysis showed that central lymphatic metastasis was closely related to below 45 years of age, the largest tumor diameter more than 5 mm, combining with capsule invasion, multiple lesions, bilateral cancer lesions (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while had no correlations with gender and whether combining with lymphocytic thyroiditis or not (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that below 45 years of age, maximum tumor diameter more than 5 mm, multiple cancer foci, bilateral cancer foci, and complicating envelop were independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients (P < 0.01).

  Conclusion  The risk factors of central lymph node metastasis include below 45 years of age, the largest tumor diameter more than 5 mm, multiple cancer foci, bilateral cancer foci, and complicating envelop. Therefore, it is recommended to actively perform lymph node dissection in central region for prevention.