Efficacy and safety of a combination of hydrodissection and radiofrequency ablation therapy for benign thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm: A retrospective study

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and therapeutics Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 386 - 393
• Main Authors: Cui, Dan, Ding, Min, Tang, Xiaoyin, Chi, Jiachang, Shi, Yaoping, Wang, Tao, Zhai, Bo, Li, Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2019; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Ablation (Surgery); Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Care and treatment; Carotid arteries; Complications and side effects; Dissection - methods; Dyspnea; Electrodes; Esophagus; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical centers; Medical research; Middle Aged; Novels; Postoperative Complications; Radiofrequency Ablation - adverse effects; Radiofrequency Ablation - methods; Retrospective Studies; Risk factors; Safety and security measures; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid diseases; Thyroid gland; Thyroid Nodule - diagnosis; Thyroid Nodule - therapy; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Burden; Ultrasonic imaging; Veins & arteries; Young Adult; Italy; Hydrodissection; thyroid nodule; safety and efficacy; radiofrequency ablation; ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0973-1482; 1998-4138
• DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_419_18

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe, highly effective, and novel method used to treat benign thyroid nodules. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of RFA and hydrodissection for treating benign thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm. Materials and Methods: The data of 137 patients with at least one thyroid nodule ≥2 cm who underwent RFA combined with hydrodissection at our medical center from November 2014 to October 2016 were analyzed. Ultrasound-guided RFA was applied to 532 nodules, including 139 nodules ≥2 cm and 393 nodes <2 cm. Results: The volumes of thyroid nodules, complications, and changes in thyroid function were analyzed. Ablation treatments were successfully performed without intraoperative skin burns, serious bleeding, or serious thyroid storm. A positive correlation was observed between ablation time and nodule size (R2 = 0.674). Only one patient (0.7%) experienced laryngeal nerve injury after operation. Moreover, the results of thyroid function tests (free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone) remained within normal ranges both before and after ablation. The complete ablation rate was 99.06%. The volumes of both nodules ≥2 cm and <2 cm significantly decreased after ablation. Six months after ablation, the average volume of nodules ≥2 cm had decreased to 1.02 ± 2.42 mL, and the volume reduction ratio was 83.11%. Conclusion: The combination of ultrasound-guided RFA with hydrodissection very effectively treats benign thyroid nodules while reducing damage to the surrounding tissues. This method is safe and effective for treating benign thyroid nodules.