title: Volume reduction of benign thyroid nodules 3 months after a single treatment with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising, non-invasive technique in treating benign thyroid nodules (TNs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HIFU to induce clinically meaningful shrinkage in benign predominantly solid TNs and to identify variables that influence or predict the magnitude of TN volume reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each of ten subjects, HIFU treatment was conducted on a single nodule. Nodular volume was measured sonographically at baseline and at 3 months post-procedure. Nodular function and early treatment assessment was done scintigraphically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median nodular volume reduction was 0.7 ml absolute and 48.8% relative to pre-interventional size (p < 0.05). Absolute shrinkage was negatively correlated with the average treatment depth (τ = -0.61, p < 0.05). Absolute nodular volume was positively correlated with the scintigraphic nodular uptake reduction (τ = 0.66, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIFU treatment of benign predominantly solid TNs appears to be safe and effective for inducing nodular shrinkage. Despite potential for improvement, a single treatment session with HIFU is already a viable alternative to more standard methods. The feasibility of multiple HIFU treatments requires further investigation. Due to the small sample size, the findings of this analysis need conformation by larger studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.|German Center for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules (Deutsches Zentrum für Thermoablation von Schilddrüsenknoten), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Huedayi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Korkusuz
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fehre
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sennert
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.|German Center for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules (Deutsches Zentrum für Thermoablation von Schilddrüsenknoten), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Happel
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.|German Center for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules (Deutsches Zentrum für Thermoablation von Schilddrüsenknoten), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grünwald
keywords: Ablation techniques; High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation; Thyroid nodule; Volume reduction