Multicenter Study of Benign Thyroid Nodules with Radiofrequency Ablation: Results of 762 Cases over 4 Years in Taiwan

Wei Che Lin, Cheng Kang Wang, Wen Hung Wang, Chi Yu Kuo, Pi Ling Chiang, An Ni Lin, Jung Hwan Baek, Ming Hsun Wu*, Kai Lun Cheng*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) in five medical centers in Taiwan. Methods: From April 2016 to July 2020, 762 patients underwent ultrasound guided RFA treatment of 826 benign thyroid nodules at five medical centers in Taiwan. The RFA procedure was performed by radiologists, otolaryngologists, or surgeons. Patients were grouped into three subgroups according to the initial volume of BTNs. The volume reduction ratio (VRR) of each nodule, and complications were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 months after RFA treatment and the three groups compared. Results: The large nodular group showed greater VRR compared to the other two groups at first 1-month follow-up. At 6-months follow-up, there was no significant difference of VRR among the three groups. Goiters with difference in size can attain a successful VRR (>50%) although different specialists demonstrated variable VRR after 6-months follow-up. A total of 40 (4.8%) complications were reported. All patients recovered spontaneously without surgery intervention. Conclusions: The reliability and safety of RFA for benign thyroid nodules had been established. RFA has gradually become an alternative to surgery in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules in Taiwan.

Original languageEnglish
Article number63
JournalJournal of Personalized Medicine
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords

  • Goiter
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Taiwan
  • Thyroid gland
  • Ultrasound

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