Thyroid nodules treated with percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation: a comparative study.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab
; 97(12): 4439-45, 2012 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23019349
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA) was reported as an effective tool for the management of thyroid nodules (TNs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RTA and to establish whether they were treatment-related by comparison with a matched, untreated control group. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
The study population included 40 patients with compressive TNs 22 had nontoxic TNs, and 18 had toxic TNs and were treated with methimazole. In all patients, a fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed to exclude a thyroid malignancy. STUDYDESIGN:
Twenty patients were treated with RTA (group A), and 20 others did not receive any treatment (group B). At baseline, age, gender, and TN features did not differ significantly between groups. All patients were clinically, biochemically, and morphologically evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.RESULTS:
TN volume significantly decreased in group A (1.8 ± 0.3 ml at 12 months vs. 13.3 ± 1.8 ml at baseline; P < 0.0001) and remained stable in group B [11.7 ± 1.5 ml at 12 months vs. 11.2 ± 1.5 ml at baseline; P = not significant (NS)]. At 3-, 6-, and 12-month evaluations, TN volume was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.005). At the end of the follow-up, pressure symptoms were improved in all patients in group A but persisted unchanged in group B. In group A, hyperthyroidism completely recovered in 40% and improved in 40% of patients with toxic TNs, whereas it persisted in all patients with toxic TNs in group B. RTA was safe and well tolerated in all patients.CONCLUSIONS:
RTA induced a marked TN volume shrinkage resulting in parallel improvement of pressure symptoms. In most patients with toxic TNs, hyperthyroidism significantly improved as well. RTA may represent a valid therapeutic approach in patients with TNs not receiving conventional treatments.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Thyroid Nodule
/
Catheter Ablation
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Clin Endocrinol Metab
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: