title: Cooled microwave ablation of thyroid nodules: Initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if internally cooled microwave ablation (cMWA) is a safe and effective method for treatment of benign and malign thyroid nodules.
  
  
  METHODS
  9 patients with 11 symptomatic cold benign thyroid nodules and 1 recurrent thyroid carcinoma ranging in volume from 9.1 to 197ml (mean size 52± 57ml) were treated with cMWA. The mean age of the patients was 59 years. Pain during the treatment was measured on a 10-point scale. Side effects revealed by ultrasound or patients' complaints were documented. Periablative efficacy was measured 24h after cMWA as change (Δ) in serum thyreoglobulin (Tg). Nodule elasticity was measured on a 4-point scale, blood circulation and echogenicity on a 3-point scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients tolerated cMWA well. Median pain intensity averaged 2.1±0.8 (range: 1-3). Postablative hematoma was observed in all cases. In no cases ablation led to hoarseness, superficial burns, nodule ruptures, vagal reactions or dysphagia. cMWA lead to a significant decrease of blood circulation, nodule echogenicity and a significant increase of elasticity (Δ = 1.1 ± 0.33; 0.8 ± 0.4 and 1.1 ± 0.6 points)(p<0.05). An average increase of 4495ng/ml Tg was measured (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  cMWA is an effective and secure method for treatment of thyroid nodules.
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Yücel
authors: Y
authors: Korkusuz
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. Electronic address: info@dzta.de.
authors: Oscar Maximilian
authors: OM
authors: Mader
authors: Department of Neuro Radiology University Hospital, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Kromen
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Happel
authors: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Agaplesion Elisabethenstift, Darmstadt, Germany.
authors: Shadi
authors: S
authors: Ahmad
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Gröner
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Mithat
authors: M
authors: Koca
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Mader
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Grünwald
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; German Centre for Thermoablation of Thyroid Nodules, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Hüdayi
authors: H
authors: Korkusuz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Microwave ablation; Pain scale; Thyroid nodules; Ultrasound-guidance; Volume reduction