OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for benign non-functioning thyroid nodules over a 4-year follow-up. METHODS: We evaluated 126 benign non-functioning thyroid nodules of 111 patients treated with RF ablation and followed-up more than 3 years. RF ablation was performed using the Cool-Tip RF system and an internally cooled electrode. Nodule volume and cosmetic and symptom scores were evaluated before treatment and during follow-up. Complications and factors related to efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 49.4 ± 13.6 months. Thyroid nodule volume decreased significantly, from 9.8 ± 8.5 ml before ablation to 0.9 ± 3.3 ml (P < 0.001) at final evaluation: a mean volume reduction of 93.4 ± 11.7 %. The mean cosmetic (P < 0.001) and symptom scores (P < 0.001) improved significantly. Factors related to efficacy were initial solidity and volume. The overall recurrence rate was 5.6 % (7/126). The overall complication rate was 3.6 % (4/111). CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation was effective in shrinking benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related problems over a 4-year follow-up. There were no life-threatening complications or sequelae. Therefore, RF ablation can be used as a non-surgical treatment for patients with benign non-functioning thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for benign non-functioning thyroid nodules over a 4-year follow-up. METHODS: We evaluated 126 benign non-functioning thyroid nodules of 111 patients treated with RF ablation and followed-up more than 3 years. RF ablation was performed using the Cool-Tip RF system and an internally cooled electrode. Nodule volume and cosmetic and symptom scores were evaluated before treatment and during follow-up. Complications and factors related to efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 49.4 ± 13.6 months. Thyroid nodule volume decreased significantly, from 9.8 ± 8.5 ml before ablation to 0.9 ± 3.3 ml (P < 0.001) at final evaluation: a mean volume reduction of 93.4 ± 11.7 %. The mean cosmetic (P < 0.001) and symptom scores (P < 0.001) improved significantly. Factors related to efficacy were initial solidity and volume. The overall recurrence rate was 5.6 % (7/126). The overall complication rate was 3.6 % (4/111). CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation was effective in shrinking benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related problems over a 4-year follow-up. There were no life-threatening complications or sequelae. Therefore, RF ablation can be used as a non-surgical treatment for patients with benign non-functioning thyroid nodules.
Authors: Stefano Spiezia; Roberto Garberoglio; Carolina Di Somma; Maurilio Deandrea; Edoardo Basso; Paolo P Limone; F Milone; V Ramundo; Paolo E Macchia; Bernadette Biondi; Gaetano Lombardi; Annamaria Colao; Antongiulio Faggiano Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Pierpaolo Trimboli; Marco Castellana; Luca Maria Sconfienza; Camilla Virili; Lorenzo Carlo Pescatori; Roberto Cesareo; Francesco Giorgino; Roberto Negro; Luca Giovanella; Giovanni Mauri Journal: Endocrine Date: 2019-07-20 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Anna Pisani Mainini; Cristian Monaco; Lorenzo Carlo Pescatori; Chiara De Angelis; Francesco Sardanelli; Luca Maria Sconfienza; Giovanni Mauri Journal: J Ultrasound Date: 2016-10-21
Authors: Antonio Barile; Simone Quarchioni; Federico Bruno; Anna Maria Ierardi; Francesco Arrigoni; Aldo Victor Giordano; Sergio Carducci; Marco Varrassi; Giampaolo Carrafiello; Ferdinando Caranci; Alessandra Splendiani; Ernesto Di Cesare; Carlo Masciocchi Journal: Gland Surg Date: 2018-04