Abstract
Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA) has been recently reported to be safe and effective in controlling symptoms of large solid thyroid nodules (TNs). These results were obtained by inducing a TN shrinkage of 52% one month after RTA which was further increased after six months.
Objective: The current study aims at investigating a large cohort of patients with compressive TN two years after RTA.
Patients and Materials: Eighty-five elderly patients (aged >65 yrs) with cytologically benign compressive TNs were prospectively enrolled in the study. RTA was performed by using a RITA © Starburst Talon needle inserted under ultrasonographic real time guide. A two year follow-up was achieved in all patients after RTA. TN size were evaluated by using B-mode ultrasonography. Compressive symptom were also evaluated at each follow-up time. Results: All TNs showed a significant decrease after RTA. Mean TN volume decreased from 24.5+/-2.2 to 7.6+/-1.4 ml (p<0.001) one year after RTA and 6.6+/-1.7 ml (p><0.001) two years after treatment. The mean percent decrease as compared to baseline was 75.9+/-2.2% and 79.2+/-2.0% twelve and twenty-four months after RTA, respectively. Compressive symptoms improved in all cases and disappeared in 84%. Neither TN regrowth nor compressive symptom relapse were observed during the follow-up.
Conclusion: RTA induces a stable TN shrinkage in patients with large solid TN. Two years after RTA, TN decrease was unchanged as compared to one year evaluation. In parallel, TN-related compressive symptoms were effectively and stably controlled during the follow-up.