Predictors of retreatment after radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: role of pre-treatment growth rate and viable volume
Authors' conclusion
Pre-treatment growth rate and six-month viable volume are strong, independent predictors of retreatment after RFA of benign thyroid nodules. Incorporating these parameters into clinical decision-making may enhance patient selection, tailor treatment intensity, and inform follow-up intervals, thereby reducing the risk of retreatment and improving cost-effectiveness.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 2018–2023
- Participants
- 293 patients
- Outcome
- Retreatment, defined as a second RFA
- Follow-up
- Within five years
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Required retreatment
- 61 (20.8%)
- Pre-treatment growth rate: AUC
- 0.808
- Pre-treatment growth rate: OR
- 1.505 (1.182-1.952), P < 0.001 (95% CI)
- Six-month viable volume: AUC
- 0.886
- Six-month viable volume: OR
- 1.252 (1.088-1.496), P < 0.001 (95% CI)
- Optimal threshold, pre-treatment growth rate
- 1.75 mm/year
- Optimal threshold, viable volume
- 4.45 mL
- Risk of retreatment with viable volume ≤ 2.1 mL
- <5%
- Risk of retreatment with viable volume >18.05 mL
- >70%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Predictors of retreatment after radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: role of pre-treatment growth rate and viable volume. Eur Thyroid J. Published 16 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →