Efficacy and Safety of Thermal Ablation for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis
Authors' conclusion
TA may be considered a minimally invasive alternative for ITNs who are not candidates for or decline surgery, demonstrating favorable efficacy and safety.
Study context
- Population
- Indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III and IV) treated with thermal ablation (TA), ≥12 months of follow-up
- Participants
- 1,149 participants15 studies
- Outcome
- VRR
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model, Risk of Bias for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS) quality assessment, Search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE through May 11, 2025, Two radiologists independently extracted data and assessed quality
- Random-effects model
- RoBANS quality assessment
- Search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE through May 11, 2025
- Two radiologists independently extracted data and assessed quality
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
TA
81.0%
pooled · CI 76.0–85.9%
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Regrowth | TA 2.3% |
| Delayed surgery | TA 0.3% |
- Delayed surgery — Malignancies upon delayed surgery
- 3
Volume reduction rate (VRR) with hydrodissection · 6 months
- Hydrodissection significantly improved VRR
- P = 0.03
Regrowth
- Larger nodules more prone to regrowth
Safety
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Major complications | TA 1.8% |
- Major complications: 21/1149 nodules
Major complications
- No reported metastasis
Original publication
Efficacy and Safety of Thermal Ablation for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis. Thyroid. Published 12 June 2025. doi:10.
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