Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules: 10-Year Experience
Authors' conclusion
RFA is safe and effective for treating benign thyroid nodules, with a high VRR at long-term follow-up.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for symptomatic benign nonfunctioning thyroid nodules, March 2007–December 2010; mean age 47 ± 13 years, 372 women; 456 nodules, mean volume 21 ± 23 mL456 nodules
- Participants
- 421 patients
- Outcome
- Mean volume reduction ratio (VRR)
- Follow-up
- Median 90 months (IQR 24-143 months)
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, Follow-up at 1, 6 and 12 months, then yearly, until August 2022
- Consecutive patients
- Follow-up at 1, 6 and 12 months, then yearly, until August 2022
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mean volume reduction ratio (VRR) at 2 years
81%
Mean VRR at 5 years
90%
Mean VRR at ≥10 years
94%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regrowth risk by initial nodule volume≥20 mL initial volumevs <10 mL initial volumeMultivariable Cox regression | 2.315 (1.183–4.530) | P = 0.014 | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Overall regrowth
- Nodules with regrowth
- 12% (53/456)
- Treated with repeat RFA
- 33
- Treated with surgery
- 4
- Left under observation
- 16
Delayed surgery
- Patients with delayed surgery
- 6% (26/421)
- Due to regrowth and/or persistent symptoms
- 4
- Due to newly detected thyroid tumors (1 benign, 21 malignant)
- 22
Safety
- Overall complication rate
- 2.4% (10/421)
- Procedure-related deaths or long-term complications
- 0
Original publication
Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules: 10-Year Experience. Thyroid. Published 5 August 2024. doi:10.
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