Stella Bernardi1,2, Fulvio Stacul3, Andrea Michelli4, Fabiola Giudici4, Giulia Zuolo4, Nicolò de Manzini4,5, Chiara Dobrinja5, Fabrizio Zanconati4,6, Bruno Fabris4,7. 1. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. stella.bernardi@aots.sanita.fvg.it. 2. Endocrinologia (Medicina Clinica), Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. stella.bernardi@aots.sanita.fvg.it. 3. Radiologia, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Maggiore Hospital, Piazza dell'Ospitale, Trieste, Italy. 4. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. 5. Chirurgia Generale, Azienda Sanitaria Integrata di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. 6. Anatomia e Istologia Patologica, Azienda Sanitaria Integrata di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. 7. Endocrinologia (Medicina Clinica), Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation has been advocated as an alternative to radioiodine and/or surgery for the treatment of autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. However, only a few studies have measured radiofrequency ablation efficacy on autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. The aim of this work was to evaluate the 12-month efficacy of a single session of radiofrequency ablation (performed with the moving shot technique) on solitary autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. METHODS: Thirty patients with a single, benign autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules, who were either unwilling or ineligible to undergo surgery and radioiodine, were treated with radiofrequency ablation between April 2012 and May 2015. All the patients underwent a single radiofrequency ablation, performed with the 18-gauge needle and the moving shot technique. Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound evaluations were scheduled at baseline, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from the procedure. RESULTS: A single radiofrequency ablation reduced thyroid nodule volume by 51, 63, 69, and 75 % after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. This was associated with a significant improvement of local cervical discomfort and cosmetic score. As for thyroid function, 33 % of the patients went into remission after 3 months, 43 % after 6 months, and 50 % after 12 months from the procedure. This study demonstrates that a single radiofrequency ablation allowed us to withdraw anti-thyroid medication in 50 % of the patients, who remained euthyroid afterwards. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a single radiofrequency ablation was effective in 50 % of patients with autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. Patients responded gradually to the treatment. It is possible that longer follow-up studies might show greater response rates.
PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation has been advocated as an alternative to radioiodine and/or surgery for the treatment of autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. However, only a few studies have measured radiofrequency ablation efficacy on autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. The aim of this work was to evaluate the 12-month efficacy of a single session of radiofrequency ablation (performed with the moving shot technique) on solitary autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. METHODS: Thirty patients with a single, benign autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules, who were either unwilling or ineligible to undergo surgery and radioiodine, were treated with radiofrequency ablation between April 2012 and May 2015. All the patients underwent a single radiofrequency ablation, performed with the 18-gauge needle and the moving shot technique. Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound evaluations were scheduled at baseline, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from the procedure. RESULTS: A single radiofrequency ablation reduced thyroid nodule volume by 51, 63, 69, and 75 % after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. This was associated with a significant improvement of local cervical discomfort and cosmetic score. As for thyroid function, 33 % of the patients went into remission after 3 months, 43 % after 6 months, and 50 % after 12 months from the procedure. This study demonstrates that a single radiofrequency ablation allowed us to withdraw anti-thyroid medication in 50 % of the patients, who remained euthyroid afterwards. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a single radiofrequency ablation was effective in 50 % of patients with autonomously functioning benign thyroid nodules. Patients responded gradually to the treatment. It is possible that longer follow-up studies might show greater response rates.
Authors: Friederike von Müller; Christian Happel; Jörg Reinhardt; Wolfgang Tilman Kranert; Benjamin Bockisch; Daniel Gröner; Hanns Ackermann; Frank Grünwald Journal: Thyroid Date: 2014-06-03 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: A Faggiano; V Ramundo; A P Assanti; F Fonderico; P E Macchia; C Misso; F Marciello; V Marotta; M Del Prete; E Papini; G Lombardi; A Colao; S Spiezia Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2012-09-27 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Hossein Gharib; Enrico Papini; Roberto Valcavi; H Jack Baskin; Anna Crescenzi; Massimo E Dottorini; Daniel S Duick; Rinaldo Guglielmi; Carlos Robert Hamilton; Martha A Zeiger; Michele Zini Journal: Endocr Pract Date: 2006 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 3.443
Authors: Ralph P Tufano; Pia Pace-Asciak; Jonathon O Russell; Carlos Suárez; Gregory W Randolph; Fernando López; Ashok R Shaha; Antti Mäkitie; Juan P Rodrigo; Luiz Paulo Kowalski; Mark Zafereo; Peter Angelos; Alfio Ferlito Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2021-06-24 Impact factor: 5.555