Percutaneous microwave ablation of thyroid nodules: effects on thyroid function and antibodies.
OBJECTIVE
Microwave ablation (MWA) is a new minimally invasive method for thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules with promising results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MWA has an impact on thyroid function.


METHODS
Thirty patients with a total of 34 benign thyroid nodules underwent MWA between January 2013 and July 2014. Serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobuline (Tg) and additionally antibodies against Tg (anti-Tg), thyrotropin receptors (TRAb) and thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) were measured at enrolment, 24 h after MWA, as well as at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Moreover, the nodule volume was evaluated to determine effectiveness.


RESULTS
Serum TSH, T4, T3 and Tg levels did not change significantly at the 3-month or 6-month follow-up (p > 0.05); thyroid function was not affected by MWA. Antibody levels did not change significantly either; however, two patients developed antibodies after treatment. A volume reduction of 51.4% or 7.85 mL could be demonstrated after 3 months and a reduction of 55.8% or 14.0 mL after 6 months. Slight complications such as mild pain during the ablation or superficial haematomas emerged. The development of Graves' disease and mild Horner's syndrome were observed as more severe side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest MWA as an alternative for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. While first results for preservation of thyroid function are positive, further measurements of laboratory data and especially antibodies are necessary.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, and German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules , Frankfurt am Main , Germany.
Kristina
K
Heck
Christian
C
Happel
Frank
F
Grünwald
Huedayi
H
Korkusuz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; C006606:anti-thyroglobulin
Microwave ablation; thermal ablation; thyroid function; thyroid hormones; thyroid nodules