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Radiofrequency ablation of functioning and non-functioning thyroid nodules: a single institution 12-month survey

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Abstract

Purpose

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment has played an increasing role in the management of benign thyroid nodules in recent years. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of RF treatment on volume reduction in functioning and non-functioning thyroid nodules.

Patients and methods

We reviewed the medical records of patients who had thyroid nodule RF ablation at our department between August 2017 and May 2018. Patients underwent a periodical follow-up with ultrasound examinations and thyroid function tests at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months from RF. Complications were assessed using the reporting standards of Interventional societies.

Results

43 patients were submitted to thyroid nodule RF ablation treatment. Patients were subdivided into two groups, those with functioning (17 patients) or non-functioning nodules. At baseline (i.e. pre-RF treatment), the two groups of patients were superimposable for gender, age, BMI, nodule volume and maximum nodule diameter. The volume reduction of all 43 nodules was 69.1 ± 17.3% (range 26.0–94.5%) with no difference between functioning and non-functioning lesions (72.9 ± 18.1% vs 66.7 ± 16.7%, p = 0.254). A total energy delivered per nodule was 16.5 ± 6.8 kJ, with no difference between functioning and non-functioning lesions (14.5 ± 7.2 kJ vs. 18.2 ± 6.3 kJ, p = 0.083, respectively). No major complications were observed.

Conclusions

Radiofrequency ablation is a clinically effective and safe outpatient treatment in patients with benign nodules. In particular, we showed that a single treatment is effective in restoring euthyroidism in patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, SSD Medicina ad indirizzo Endocrino-metabolico, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    C. Cappelli, I. Pirola, E. Gandossi, F. Marini, E. Di Lodovico, A. Cristiano, A. Ferlin & M. Castellano

  2. Department of Radiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    F. Franco

  3. 3rd Division of General Surgery, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    C. Casella

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    D. Lombardi

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  1. C. Cappelli
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  2. F. Franco
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Correspondence to C. Cappelli.

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The study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee (no. 3706).

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Cappelli, C., Franco, F., Pirola, I. et al. Radiofrequency ablation of functioning and non-functioning thyroid nodules: a single institution 12-month survey. J Endocrinol Invest 43, 477–482 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01132-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01132-4

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