title: Complications encountered in ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the complication rates and describe the possible complications of ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules (BTN) and recurrent thyroid cancers (RTC), and to compare the complication rates between BTN and RTC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study reviewed 875 patients who underwent RFA for BTN (746 patients; 83.5%) or RTC (129 patients; 14.7%). Medical records were reviewed for all types of complications occurring during and after the RFA procedure. The baseline characteristics and the complication rates of BTN and RTC were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall complication rate was 3.5% (31/875), and the major complication rate was 1.6% (14/875). The major complication rate of RTC was significantly higher than that of BTN (5.4% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.002), while there were no significant differences in the minor complications rate. New complications, such as Horner syndrome, spinal accessory nerve injury, and complications due to lidocaine toxicity, were also revealed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various complications of RFA may occur in both BTN and RTC, although the complication rate is low. To understand the broad spectrum of complications and minimise the complications and sequela, the suggested technical tips and cervical anatomy are essential.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • The overall complication rate was 3.5% (31/875). • The major complication rate was 1.6% (14/875). • The major complication rate of RTC was significantly higher than BTN. • There were only four patients showing persistent symptoms (0.5%). • Unreported new complications were also demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and the Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of Radiology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 516, Gojan 1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
authors.forename: Cherry
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and the Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and the Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won Bae
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Yon
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and the Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43 gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, South Korea. radbaek@naver.com.
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: Benign thyroid nodule; Complications; Radiofrequency ablation; Recurrent thyroid cancer; Ultrasound