title: Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules does not affect thyroid function in patients with previous lobectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical management of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules in patients with previous lobectomy poses a dilemma for physicians. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation may provide a treatment option that avoids surgery and preserves thyroid function. We evaluated whether RF ablation of benign thyroid nodules affects thyroid function in patients with previous lobectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 11 patients with 14 thyroid nodules were enrolled using the following criteria: (i) having a predominantly solid nodule; (ii) reporting pressure symptoms or cosmetic problems; (iii) cytological confirmation of benignancy; (iv) no malignant features detected using ultrasound; (v) serum thyroid hormone and thyrotropin (TSH) levels within normal limits; and (vi) refusal of or ineligibility for surgery. Thyroid function, nodule volumes, and clinical concerns were evaluated before RF ablation and during follow-up after RF ablation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up duration after RF ablation was 43.7±30.7 months (range=7-92 months). The mean nodule volume was 9.7 mL (0.9-57.6 mL) before the procedure, and was significantly decreased at the last follow-up (p<0.001) with a mean volume reduction rate of 87.2%. The mean symptom score (p=0.003) and cosmetic score (p=0.003) were both significantly decreased at the last follow-up. Levels of TSH, free thyroxine, and triiodothyronine were not significantly different prior to treatment and at the last follow-up (p>0.05), and remained normal in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with previous lobectomy, RF ablation should be considered as a first-line treatment for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules to preserve thyroid function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Ducky
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Kyun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Kee
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin