Journal List > Int J Thyroidol > v.8(2) > 1082721

Kim, Kim, Jung, Moon, Yang, Park, Jo, Park, Seo, Lee, Kim, and Kim: Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation Performed by an Endocrinologist for Benign Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Radiofrequency ablation has recently been used for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, with outstanding results. However, in most studies, the procedure was usually performed by a radiologist or surgeon. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for nodules >2 cm performed by an endocrinologist with several years of experience performing fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Materials and Methods

This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 111 patients who received radiofrequency ablation between April 2010 and July 2013. A total of 73 patients with 75 nodules >2 cm in diameter with at least 6 months of follow-up examinations were included.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 11.5 months. The mean nodule volume decreased from 17.0±15.3 mL preoperatively to 6.0±8.5 mL postoperatively, with a mean volume reduction of 69.7%. There were no major complications, and only 1 patient (1.3%) presented with a minor complication (hemorrhaging of the thyroid parenchyma).

Conclusion

Radiofrequency ablation is a safe method for reducing benign thyroid nodules, and is not associated with any major complications.

References

1. Na DG, Lee JH, Jung SL, Kim JH, Sung JY, Shin JH, et al. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers: consensus statement and recommendations. Korean J Radiol. 2012; 13(2):117–25.
crossref
2. Kim YS, Rhim H, Tae K, Park DW, Kim ST. Radiofrequency ablation of benign cold thyroid nodules: initial clinical experience. Thyroid. 2006; 16(4):361–7.
crossref
3. Spiezia S, Garberoglio R, Di Somma C, Deandrea M, Basso E, Limone PP, et al. Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency thermal ablation in the treatment of thyroid nodules with pressure symptoms in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007; 55(9):1478–9.
crossref
4. Baek JH, Jeong HJ, Kim YS, Kwak MS, Lee D. Radio-frequency ablation for an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule. Thyroid. 2008; 18(6):675–6.
crossref
5. Deandrea M, Limone P, Basso E, Mormile A, Ragazzoni F, Gamarra E, et al. US-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation for the treatment of solid benign hyper-functioning or compressive thyroid nodules. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2008; 34(5):784–91.
crossref
6. Jeong WK, Baek JH, Rhim H, Kim YS, Kwak MS, Jeong HJ, et al. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: safety and imaging follow-up in 236 patients. Eur Radiol. 2008; 18(6):1244–50.
crossref
7. Baek JH, Moon WJ, Kim YS, Lee JH, Lee D. Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. World J Surg. 2009; 33(9):1971–7.
crossref
8. Baek JH, Kim YS, Lee D, Huh JY, Lee JH. Benign predominantly solid thyroid nodules: prospective study of efficacy of sonographically guided radiofrequency ablation versus control condition. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010; 194(4):1137–42.
crossref
9. Jang SW, Baek JH, Kim JK, Sung JY, Choi H, Lim HK, et al. How to manage the patients with unsatisfactory results after ethanol ablation for thyroid nodules: role of radiofre-quency ablation. Eur J Radiol. 2012; 81(5):905–10.
crossref
10. Fuller CW, Nguyen SA, Lohia S, Gillespie MB. Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules: systematic review. Laryngoscope. 2014; 124(1):346–53.
crossref
11. Sung JY, Kim YS, Choi H, Lee JH, Baek JH. Optimum first-line treatment technique for benign cystic thyroid nodules: ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011; 196(2):W210–4.
crossref
12. Baek JH, Lee JH, Sung JY, Bae JI, Kim KT, Sim J, et al. Complications encountered in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules with US-guided radiofrequency ablation: a multicenter study. Radiology. 2012; 262(1):335–42.
crossref
13. Shin JH, Baek JH, Ha EJ, Lee JH. Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules: basic principles and clinical application. Int J Endocrinol. 2012; 2012:919650.
crossref
14. Lim HK, Lee JH, Ha EJ, Sung JY, Kim JK, Baek JH. Radiofrequency ablation of benign non-functioning thyroid nodules: 4-year follow-up results for 111 patients. Eur Radiol. 2013; 23(4):1044–9.
crossref
15. Kim DW. Sonography-guided ethanol ablation of a remnant solid component after radio-frequency ablation of benign solid thyroid nodules: a preliminary study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2012; 33(6):1139–43.
crossref

Table 1.
Changes in nodule size and volume during follow-up
  Initial At 1 month At 6 months Last follow-up
(mean, 11.5 months)
Number of nodules 75 74 52 75
Volume, mean (SD), mL 17.0 (15.3) 10.1 (9.7) 6.5 (9.6) 6.0 (8.5)
Largest diameter, mean (SD), cm 3.9 (1.0) 3.3 (1.0) 2.8 (1.2) 2.5 (1.2)
Volume reduction rate (%)   39.6 63.9 69.7

SD: standard deviation

TOOLS
Similar articles