Comparison of the Efficiency of Radiofrequency and Microwave Ablation Methods in the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of two thermal ablation techniques (radiofrequency vs microwave ablation) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with 80 nodules underwent thermal ablation of thyroid nodules with either radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (23 females and 14 males; mean age 41 ± 9years) or microwave ablation (MWA) (28 females and 15 males; mean age 45 ± 11years). Ultrasound assessments were made at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the ablation procedure. RESULTS: The mean initial volume of the nodules (RFA: 15.6 mL [min 2.5-max 74]; MWA: 40 mL [min 2-max 205]) was statistically significantly different (P < .001). The following were the volume reduction rates of nodules at 1, 3, 6, and 12months, respectively: after RFA: 46.8 ± 13.5%, 62.9 ± 13.6%, 71.6 ± 11.9%, and 77.9 ± 10.3%. After MWA: 38.7 ± 12.5%, 54 ± 15.3%, 59.6 ± 12.5%, and 65 ± 11.3%. For all months, volume reduction rates in the RFA group were significantly higher than those in the MWA group (P < .05). One patient treated by RFA reported an abscess formation and another patient treated by RFA had a self-limiting hematoma, who recovered without any further treatment. Also, in the MWA group, one patient had abscess formation and another patient had transient recurrent nerve paralysis, who recovered with appropriate treatment. CONCLUSION: Both methods are effective in treating benign thyroid nodules; however, RFA provides a better volume reduction.

Do Ultrasound Based Quantitative Hepatic Fat Content Measurements Have Differences Between Respiratory Phases?

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The recently developed ultrasound based tools using attenuation coefficient (AC) and scatter distribution coefficient (SDC) values can be used to quantify hepatic fat content in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, currently the impact of respiratory phase on these measurements is not known. The purpose of this study is to compare AC and SDC measurements acquired at peak inspiration and end expiration phases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AC and SDC measurements were obtained in 50 patients with NAFLD. Tissue Attenuation Imaging (TAI) and Tissue Scatter Distribution Imaging (TSI) tools were utilized to measure AC and SDC values, respectively. Five measurements were performed at respiratory phases using TAI and TSI tools and the median values were noted. Subgroup analyses were performed and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparison of the measurements. RESULTS: The median values of the AC measurements at peak inspiration and end expiration phases were 0.87 dB/cm/MHz and 0.89 dB/cm/MHz, respectively. The median values of the SDC measurements at peak inspiration and end expiration phases were 97.91 and 96.62, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in AC and SDC measurements between the respiratory phases except for AC measurements in BMI <30 kg/m2 subgroup. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that respiratory phases have no impact on SDC measurements. However, while the AC measurements in BMI ≥30 kg/m2 subgroup showed no significant difference, there was a significant difference in AC measurements in BMI <30 kg/m2 subgroup between the respiratory phases.