Treatment efficiency of thyroid benign nodules by ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Objective \nTo explore the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of thyroid benign nodules. \n \n \nMethods \nWe analyze 573 patients with thyroid benign nodules from June 2014 to September 2017 treated by RFA at Department Ⅱof Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Among these patients, there were 75 males and 498 females, with a median age of 45 years old. All patients were diagnosed as thyroid benign nodules by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy before RFA. A total of 750 benign tumors were treated. To evaluate the thyroid function of the patients before RFA and 3 months after it, and to observe the changes of thyroid benign nodules by ultrasound at 3, 6, 12 months after RFA. The paired t-test was used to compare the measurement data with normal distribution, and Wilcoxon s signed rank test was used to compare the measurement data with non-normal distribution. To calculate the volume change and reduction rate of thyroid benign nodules. \n \n \nResults \nRFA was successfully completed in all patients, the volume reduction rate was 67%(48%, 83%) in the 3rd month after RFA, in the 6th month was 81%(67%, 91%), in the 12th month was 89%(80%, 95%). Eighteen patients felt pain during RFA, but the pain was alleviated after stopping ablation. Three patients′ tone decreased, but recovered in a week. Hoarseness occurred in 6 patients and recovered in 3 months. Three patients had neck hemorrhage, which was managed with simple compression of the neck. \n \n \nConclusions \nRFA is an effective and safe treatment for thyroid benign nodules and has obvious advantages such as less invasiveness, having no influence in thyroid functions. It is clinically prospective for application. \n \n \nKey words: \nRetrospective studies;\xa0Thyroid neoplasms;\xa0Biopsy, needle;\xa0Radiofrequency ablation;\xa0Ultrasound guided