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A comparison of the 2 thermal ablation procedures for the management of benign thyroid nodules
, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 2
Affiliations- Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, ultrasound (US)-guided thermal ablation techniques have come to the fore as minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation procedures in patients with benign thyroid nodules.
Material and methods: This retrospective and single-centre study consisted of 55 patients and 62 benign thyroid nodules that were treated either with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) in our hospital between January 2020 and March 2022. All the patients were at high risk for surgery or with symptomatic TNs and who refused surgery. The TNs diagnosed as benign from the fine-needle aspiration biopsy were evaluated in terms of volume reduction, symptom, and cosmetic scores. In addition, these 2 treatment modalities were compared to each other.
Results: Out of 55 patients, 44 (80%) were female and were aged between 24 and 97 years with a median age of 50 years. RFA was applied to 54.5% (n = 30) of the participants, and MWA was applied to 46.5% (n = 25). The volume reduction rate (VRR) after RFA and MWA at the first month was 63.4 ± 14.2 and 65.7 ± 13, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the 2 groups in terms of VRR (p = 0.51). In addition, the mean symptom and cosmetic scores decreased significantly in both procedures, and there was a significant difference due to the symptom score change in the RFA group compared to the MWA group. Of all the patients, one patient experienced haematoma in the RFA, and one patient had transient voice change in the MWA group. No life-threatening complications were noted.
Conclusion: In the treatment of benign symptomatic thyroid nodules, both RFA and MWA are options worthy of consideration in terms of efficacy and safety.
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, ultrasound (US)-guided thermal ablation techniques have come to the fore as minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation procedures in patients with benign thyroid nodules.
Material and methods: This retrospective and single-centre study consisted of 55 patients and 62 benign thyroid nodules that were treated either with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) in our hospital between January 2020 and March 2022. All the patients were at high risk for surgery or with symptomatic TNs and who refused surgery. The TNs diagnosed as benign from the fine-needle aspiration biopsy were evaluated in terms of volume reduction, symptom, and cosmetic scores. In addition, these 2 treatment modalities were compared to each other.
Results: Out of 55 patients, 44 (80%) were female and were aged between 24 and 97 years with a median age of 50 years. RFA was applied to 54.5% (n = 30) of the participants, and MWA was applied to 46.5% (n = 25). The volume reduction rate (VRR) after RFA and MWA at the first month was 63.4 ± 14.2 and 65.7 ± 13, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the 2 groups in terms of VRR (p = 0.51). In addition, the mean symptom and cosmetic scores decreased significantly in both procedures, and there was a significant difference due to the symptom score change in the RFA group compared to the MWA group. Of all the patients, one patient experienced haematoma in the RFA, and one patient had transient voice change in the MWA group. No life-threatening complications were noted.
Conclusion: In the treatment of benign symptomatic thyroid nodules, both RFA and MWA are options worthy of consideration in terms of efficacy and safety.
Keywords
benign thyroid nodules; radiofrequency ablation; microwave ablation; volume reduction rate; symptom and cosmetic scores
About this articleTitle
A comparison of the 2 thermal ablation procedures for the management of benign thyroid nodules
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
392-397
Published online
2023-07-27
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980
Article views/downloads
341
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2023;74(4):392-397.
Keywords
benign thyroid nodules
radiofrequency ablation
microwave ablation
volume reduction rate
symptom and cosmetic scores
Authors
Süleyman Sönmez
Elif Önder
Mehtap Navdar Başaran
Hatice Çalışkan
Yıldıray Topçu
Sevcan Genç
Hande Peynirci
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