Ultrasound predictive criteria for short term benign thyroid nodular volume reduction after ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the outcome of patients complaining of compressive& cosmetic problems due to benign thyroid nodules after recieving RF ablation with correlation between some ultrasound features of the nodules and their shrinkage and volume reduction. Methods and material: fifteen patients with benign thyroid nodules causing compressive symptoms (foreign body sensation,neck discomfort or pain) and cosmetic problems. Results: A total of 15 patients were included with the age ranging from 22-82 years old ,the mean was 52.73 years old (SD ±14.37).Among them 12 patients (80%)were females and 3 patients(20%) were males.There was statistically significant difference between volume of nodules before the procedure with mean volume was 21.13±5.13 and 1 month after with mean volume 11.96±3.08 and 3 months after the procedure with mean volume 7.70±2.82 with noticeable improvement in nodules with peri and intranodular vascularity showing mean reduction ratio 69.88% after 3 months vs 59.93% and 64.12% of weak peripheral vascularity and intense intra-nodular vascularity respectively as well as US structure with spongiform nodules showing mean reduction ratio 68.48% at 3 months vs 59.87% and 62.14% for solid &mixed nodules respectively.Mean symptoms and cosmetic score were significantly reduced. Conclusion: This study validated the efficacy and safety of RFA for treatment of benign thyroid nodules and showed correlation between shrinkage and some common US findings.