title: Bipolar radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules using a multiple overlapping shot technique in a 3-month follow-up.
abstract: Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the decrease of benign thyroid nodules after bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in a 3-month follow-up using a multiple overlapping shot technique ('MOST'). Methods A total of 18 patients with 20 symptomatic benign thyroid nodules (17 cold nodules, 3 hyperfunctioning nodules) were treated in one single session by bipolar RFA. Bipolar ablation was performed using MOST. The nodule volumes were measured prior to ablation and 3 months after the procedure using ultrasound. The population consisted of either solid (>80% solid tissue within the volume of interest), complex, or cystic nodules (<20% solid tissue within the volume of interest). Results Bipolar RFA resulted in a highly significant (p < 0.0001) decrease of nodule volume (ΔV), median 5.3 mL (range 0.13-43.1 mL), corresponding to a relative reduction in mean of 56 ± 17.9%. Median initial volume was 8 mL (range 0.48-62 mL); 3 months after ablation a median volume of 2.3 mL (range 0.3-32 mL) was measured. Nodule growth ≥50% occurred in 70% (14 nodules). At the follow-up no complications such as infections, persisting pain, nerve injuries or immunogen stimulation occurred. Patients with cold nodules (15) remained euthyroid, with hyperfunctioning nodules either euthyroid (2) or latent hypofunctional (1). Conclusion The use of bipolar RFA is an effective, safe and suitable thermoablative technique to treat benign thyroid nodules. Combined with the multiple overlapping shot technique it allows sufficient ablation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Konstantin David
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kohlhase
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Yücel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Korkusuz
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gröner
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erbelding
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;|b German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Happel
authors.affiliation: c Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luboldt
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nuclear Medicine , University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;|b German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules, University Hospital , Frankfurt , Germany ;
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grünwald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Microwave; radiofrequency; thermal ablation; ultrasound