title: Radiofrequency ablation of benign non-functioning thyroid nodules: 4-year follow-up results for 111 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for benign non-functioning thyroid nodules over a 4-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 126 benign non-functioning thyroid nodules of 111 patients treated with RF ablation and followed-up more than 3 years. RF ablation was performed using the Cool-Tip RF system and an internally cooled electrode. Nodule volume and cosmetic and symptom scores were evaluated before treatment and during follow-up. Complications and factors related to efficacy were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up duration was 49.4 ± 13.6 months. Thyroid nodule volume decreased significantly, from 9.8 ± 8.5 ml before ablation to 0.9 ± 3.3 ml (P < 0.001) at final evaluation: a mean volume reduction of 93.4 ± 11.7 %. The mean cosmetic (P < 0.001) and symptom scores (P < 0.001) improved significantly. Factors related to efficacy were initial solidity and volume. The overall recurrence rate was 5.6 % (7/126). The overall complication rate was 3.6 % (4/111).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF ablation was effective in shrinking benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related problems over a 4-year follow-up. There were no life-threatening complications or sequelae. Therefore, RF ablation can be used as a non-surgical treatment for patients with benign non-functioning thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul 138-736, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Jae Kyun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult