title: Complications encountered in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules with US-guided radiofrequency ablation: a multicenter study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical aspects and imaging features of complications encountered in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules with radiofrequency (RF) ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study, and informed consent was waived. From June 2002 to September 2009, 1459 patients underwent RF ablation of 1543 thyroid nodules with an RF system with internally cooled electrodes at 13 thyroid centers, which were members of Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology. Numbers and types of major and minor complications were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors observed 48 complications (3.3%), 20 major and 28 minor. The major complications were voice changes (n = 15), brachial plexus injury (n = 1), tumor rupture (n = 3), and permanent hypothyroidism (n = 1). The minor complications were hematoma (n = 15), skin burn (n = 4), and vomiting (n = 9). All patients recovered spontaneously except for one with permanent hypothyroidism and one who underwent surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the complication rate of RF ablation is low, various complications may occur; comprehension of complications and suggested technical tips may prevent complications or properly manage those that occur.
authors: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul 138-736, Korea. radbaek@naver.com
authors: Jung Hwan
authors: JH
authors: Baek
authors: Jeong Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Jin Yong
authors: JY
authors: Sung
authors: Jae-Ik
authors: JI
authors: Bae
authors: Kyung Tae
authors: KT
authors: Kim
authors: Jungsuk
authors: J
authors: Sim
authors: Seon Mi
authors: SM
authors: Baek
authors: Young-sun
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Jung Hee
authors: JH
authors: Shin
authors: Jeong Seon
authors: JS
authors: Park
authors: Dong Wook
authors: DW
authors: Kim
authors: Ji-hoon
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Eun-Kyung
authors: EK
authors: Kim
authors: So Lyung
authors: SL
authors: Jung
authors: Dong Gyu
authors: DG
authors: Na
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional