title: US-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation for the treatment of solid benign hyperfunctioning or compressive thyroid nodules.
abstract: The aim of the study was to define the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation in the treatment of compressive solid benign thyroid nodules. Thirty-one patients not eligible for surgery or radioiodine (131I) treatment underwent RF ablation for benign nodules; a total of 33 nodules were treated (2 patients had 2 nodules treated in the same session): 10 cold nodules and 23 hyperfunctioning. Fourteen patients complained of compressive symptoms. Nodule volume, thyroid function and compressive symptoms were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 mo. Ultrasound-guided RF ablation was performed using a Starbust RITA needle, with nine expandable prongs; total exposure time was 6 to 10 min at 95 degrees C in one area or more of the nodule. Baseline volume (measured at the time of RF ablation) was 27.7 +/- 21.5 mL (mean +/- SD), but significantly decreased during follow-up: 19.2 +/- 16.2 at 1 mo (-32.7%; p < 0.001), 15.9 +/- 14.1 mL at 3 mo (-46.4 %; p < 0.001) and 14.6 +/- 12.6 mL at 6 mo (-50.7%; p < 0.001). After treatment, all patients with cold nodules remained euthyroid: five patients with hot nodules normalized thyroid function, and the remaining sixteen showed a partial remission of hyperthyroidism. Besides a sensation of heat and mild swelling of the neck, no major complications were observed. Improvement in compressive symptoms was reported by 13 patients, with a reduction on severity scale from 6.1 +/- 1.4 to 2.2 +/- 1.9 (p < 0.0001). Radiofrequency was effective and safe in reducing volume by about 50% and compressive symptoms in large benign nodules. Hyperfunction was fully controlled in 24% of patients and partially reduced in the others.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Section, A.S.O. Ordine Mauriziano di Torino, "Umberto I" Hospital, Turin, Italy. mdeandrea@libero.it
authors.forename: Maurilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deandrea
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Limone
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Basso
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mormile
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ragazzoni
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gamarra
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spiezia
authors.forename: Antongiulio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faggiano
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molinari
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garberoglio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler