title: Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid nodules (TNs) usually appearing in the general population have the potential possibility of malignant transformation and common problems of jugular oppression such as dyspnea and hoarseness. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficiency of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of benign TNs in accord with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literatures were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus up to January 27, 2016. Pooled standard mean difference with 95% confidence interval was estimated by fixed- or random-effects model depending on heterogeneity, which was calculated using the Cochran Q, τ, and I statistics. The quality of the articles was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meta-analysis of data from 1090 patients with 1406 benign TNs in 20 articles showed that with the subgroup stratified by nodule volume, they were significantly decreased at 1, 3, 6, 12, and the last follow-up months, when comparing post-RFA with the initial nodule volume. In addition, the volume also notably declined by cold and hot nodules. By subgrouping into the largest diameter, symptom score, cosmetic score, thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine level, and vascularity, the pooled data indicated that there was a decrease in largest diameter, symptom score, cosmetic score, triiodothyronine level, and vascular scale, an unchanged free thyroxine, and an increased thyrotropin level after RFA. The publication bias for this particular study is presented in the following groups: nodule volume reduction at 6 months and last follow-up month after RFA and symptom score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, by pooling of these studies we recommended that RFA indeed has the advantages in improving outcomes and providing better prognosis for patients with benign TNs.
authors: Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Intervention Center State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine Department of Mathematics Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Fen
authors: F
authors: Chen
authors: Guo
authors: G
authors: Tian
authors: Dexing
authors: D
authors: Kong
authors: Liyun
authors: L
authors: Zhong
authors: Tian'an
authors: T
authors: Jiang
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome