A comparison of laser with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules: a propensity score matching analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To compare technique efficacy and safety of laser ablation (LA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and patients’ consent was waived. 601 nodules were treated from May 2009 to December 2014 at eight centres, 449 (309 females, age 57?±?14?years) with LA and 152 (107 females, age 57?±?14?years) with RFA. A matched cohort composed of 138 patients from each group was selected after adjustment with propensity score matching. Factors influencing volume reduction at 6 and 12?months and complications were evaluated.

Results: No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between groups after propensity score matching adjustment. Mean nodule reduction at 6 and 12?months was ?67?±?19% vs. ?57?±?21% (p?<?0.001)???70?±?19% vs. ?62?±?22% (p =?0.001) in LA group and in RFA group, respectively. Nodules with volume?>30?mL had significantly higher percentage volume reduction at 6 and 12?months (?69?±?19 vs. ?50?±?21, p?=?0.001) and (?73?±?18 vs. ?54?±?23 8, p?=?0.001) in the LA group than in the RFA group, respectively. In both groups, operator’s skills affected the results. Major complications occurred in 4 cases in each group (p?=?0.116)

Conclusions: LA and RFA showed nearly similar outcome but LA was slightly more effective than RFA in large nodules. Operator’s skills could be crucial in determining the extent of nodule volume reduction regardless of the used technique.     

Safety of radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers.

Materials and methods: Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Library of Cochrane databases were searched up to 12 July 2016 for studies on the safety of RFA for treating benign thyroid nodules or recurrent thyroid cancers. Pooled proportions of overall and major complications were assessed using random-effects modelling. Heterogeneity among studies was determined using the χ² statistic for the pooled estimates and the inconsistency index I².

Results: A total of 24 eligible studies were included, giving a sample size of 2421 patients and 2786 thyroid nodules. 41 major complications and 48 minor complications of RFA were reported, giving a pooled proportion of 2.38% for overall RFA complications [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42%–3.34%] and 1.35% for major RFA complications (95% CI: 0.89%–1.81%). There were no heterogeneities in either overall or major complications (I²?=?1.24%–21.79%). On subgroup analysis, the overall and major complication rates were significantly higher for malignant thyroid nodules than for benign thyroid nodules (p?=?0.0011 and 0.0038, respectively).

Conclusions: RFA was found to be safe for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers.     

High-intensity focused ablation (HIFU) of single benign thyroid nodule rarely alters underlying thyroid function

Abstract

Background: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising ablation technique for benign thyroid nodules. However, its effect on underlying thyroid function remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the 6?months changes in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) after HIFU treatment.

Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent single HIFU ablation for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule were analysed. Eligible patients had serum TSH and FT4 checked before treatment (baseline), 1 week, 3 and 6 months following HIFU treatment. Primary endpoints were hypothyroidism (FT4?<?12?pmol/L) and hyperthyroidism (FT4?>?23?pmol/L) in the 6?months following treatment. To express extent of nodule ablation relative to the total gland volume, an ablation volume ratio was calculated by [(Ablated nodule volume/total thyroid volume)/(total thyroid volume)]?×?100.

Results: Relative to baseline, 1-week serum TSH significantly dropped (from 1.16 to 0.76 mIU/L, p?<?0.001) while 1-week serum FT4 significantly rose (from 16.0?to 17.8?pmol/L, p?<?0.001). However, 3- and 6-months TSH and FT4 did not changed significantly from baseline (p?>?0.05). No patients developed hyperthyroidism while one (1.4%) developed hypothyroidism (FT4?=?11?pmol/L) at 3 months and 6 months. Interestingly, this patient had a previous lobectomy and an ablation volume ratio of 64.00%.

Conclusions: Hypothyroidism following single HIFU ablation occurred rarely (1.4%) and resulted in little clinical relevance. Given that only one patient developed hypothyroidism following single HIFU ablation, it remains unclear how patients with different amount of parenchyma and relative extent of ablation may affect subsequent thyroid function.     

Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: depicting early sign of regrowth by calculating vital volume

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated long-term follow-up results of radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules to analyse the role of marginal vital tissue on nodule regrowth.

Materials and methods: We reviewed the medical records of 54 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation between June 2008 and November 2013 with pressure symptoms, and/or cosmetic problems. All patients were followed up at least 12?months on three occasions. To evaluate an early sign of regrowth, three types of nodule volumes (total volume, ablated volume and vital volume) were measured and calculated using ultrasonography. Regrowth was defined as a more than a 50% increase in the total volume and vital volume increase was defined as a more than 50% increase compared to the previously reported smallest volume on ultrasonography.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 39.4?±?21.7 (range, 13–87) months. Vital volume increases occurred in 31 nodules (57.4%) and there was regrowth in 13 nodules (24.1%). The mean timing of the vital volume increase was 27.5?±?18.5?months, and for regrowth it was 39.9?±?17.5?months. Vital volume increase tended to precede regrowth.

Conclusion: Vital volume increase tended to occur earlier than regrowth and might be an early sign of regrowth in following-up after the radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules.     

The percentage of serum thyroglobulin rise in the first-week did not predict the eventual success of high-intensity focussed ablation (HIFU) for benign thyroid nodules

Abstract

Background: Given that high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) of benign thyroid nodules often causes a massive release of thyroglobulin (Tg) into the circulation, we hypothesised a greater initial Tg rise may result in a greater nodule shrinkage 6?months after ablation.

Methods: One hundred and five patients who underwent HIFU for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule from 2015 to 2016 were analysed. Serum Tg and anti-Tg autoantibody were checked on treatment day (baseline) and 4?d after treatment. The % of Tg rise?=?[serum Tg on day-4 – baseline serum Tg]/[baseline serum Tg] * 100 while the nodule shrinkage as measured by volume reduction ratio (VRR)?=?[baseline volume – volume at 6-month]/[baseline volume] * 100. Treatment success was defined as VRR?>50%.

Results: At 6-month, the mean VRR was 62.2?±?25.0% and 59 (76.6%) patients had treatment success. The mean baseline Tg level increased from 292.8?±?672.7?ng/mL to 2022.7?±?1759.8?ng/mL in the first-week. The % of Tg rise did not significantly correlate with either 3-month or 6-month VRR (p?=?0.920 and p?=?0.699, respectively). The mean % of Tg rise in the first week was not different between those with and without 6-month treatment success (368.2% vs. 1068.7%, p?=?0.381). No clinical factors significantly correlated with treatment success.

Conclusions: There was an almost seven-fold increase in the mean Tg level 4?d after HIFU ablation. The % of Tg rise in the first week did not appear to correlate with the 6-month nodule shrinkage or treatment success.     

Microwave ablation induces a lower systemic stress response in patients than open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules

Objective: In this study, we compared the systemic stress response induced by microwave ablation with that induced by conventional open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Methods: A total of 108 patients with benign thyroid nodules were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided thyroid microwave ablation (microwave group, n?=?57) and conventional open thyroid surgery (open group, n?=?51). Body temperature, white blood cell (WBC) counts, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, and serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and cortisol were measured at 24?h before operation and at 8?h, 24?h and 48?h after operation.

Results: No significant between-group differences were observed with respect to preoperative body temperature, VAS scores, WBC counts, serum hs-CRP, IL-6 and cortisol levels. Patients in the open group exhibited higher body temperature at 24?h after operation and higher WBC counts at both 24?h and 48?h after operation, as compared to those in the microwave group. As compared with microwave ablation, open surgery was associated with significantly higher VAS scores, and significantly higher serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and cortisol at all postoperative time-points (8?h, 24?h and 48?h).

Conclusion: Microwave ablation induces a lower systemic stress response than open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules.     

Vocal cord paresis following single-session high intensity focused ablation (HIFU) treatment of benign thyroid nodules: incidence and risk factors

Abstract

Background: Vocal cord paresis (VCP) may occur following high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) of thyroid nodules. We hypothesised its occurrence relates to the distance of the focus point (FP) of the HIFU beams from the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and the thermal power that this point received. Their relationships were examined.

Methods: One hundred and three patients who underwent HIFU for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule from October 2015 to March 2017 were analysed. All treatment images were captured and were later watched by 2 reviewers to identify three FPs closest to the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG) on transverse sonographic view. TEG was taken as the RLN position. After identifying these FPs, their distance (mm) from the TEG, thermal power (W) used and depth from skin (mm) were recorded. These parameters were compared between those with and without VCP. VCP was defined as a cord with reduced or no movement.

Results: Four (3.9%) patients suffered from a unilateral VCP afterwards but they all recovered fully within 6?weeks. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and treatment efficacy between the two groups. The distance from TEG (OR?=?1.706, 95%CI?=?1.001 to 2.915, p?=?0.050) was the only significant factor for VCP. None of the other variables including thermal power were significant.

Conclusions: The incidence of VCP was 3.9% (4/103) and they completely recovered within 6?weeks. The distance between the FP and the TEG was the only related factor for VCP. The safe distance between FP and TEG should be ≥1.1?cm.     

Single-session high intensity focussed ablation (HIFU) versus open cervical hemithyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodule: analysis on early efficacy,safety and voice quality

Abstract

Background: High intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising non-surgical treatment for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule. We aimed to compare early efficacy, safety and voice quality between HIFU ablation and open thyroidectomy.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent single-session HIFU ablation or a hemithyroidectomy for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule were included. The 6-month extent of nodule shrinkage, symptom improvement score, thyroid function, hospital stay and cost were compared between the two procedures. Safety was defined by absence of major complications like recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and skin burn. Voice quality was assessed by a computerised multi-dimensional voice programme and a Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire 1-month after treatment.

Results: Altogether, 43 patients had HIFU and 103 patients had a hemithyroidectomy. In the HIFU group, the extent of nodule shrinkage at 6-month was 51.71?±?16.04%. No patients in the HIFU group suffered skin burn or hypothyroidism. The HIFU group had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (0.3 vs. 1.0?day, p?<?0.001), lower incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism (1/43 vs. 21/103, p?=?0.008), higher symptom improvement score (p?=?0.009) and was less costly (USD 1923.1 vs. USD 5384.6). Relative to HIFU, pitch quality also worsen after surgery (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: Relative to surgery, single HIFU ablation appeared efficacious and safe. Apart from shorter hospital stay, less subclinical hypothyroidism, being scar-less, lower cost and more symptom improvement, HIFU patients were less affected by a pitch problem in the first month. This study provides a strong argument for HIFU ablation as a treatment for symptomatic benign thyroid nodule.     

超声引导下经皮无水酒精注射在良性甲状腺囊性结节治疗中的研究进展

随着超声技术等检查方法的发展和普及,甲状腺结节的检出率逐渐增高。手术是治疗甲状腺结节的传统治疗方法。但因手术创伤、并发症和治疗后生活质量等因素,微创治疗逐渐被推荐应用。国外大量研究认为,对于单纯囊性和囊实性甲状腺良性病变较常用的微创治疗方法为超声引导下经皮无水酒精注射。现回顾近年来国外有关经皮无水酒精对囊性甲状腺良性结节治疗的研究,并作一综述。     

Management strategy for nerve damage during radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules

Objective: The aim of this study was to introduce a management strategy for nerve damage occurring during radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: From January 2016 to October 2017, 17 patients who experienced the symptoms of nerve damage during RFA were enrolled in this study. If damage to nerves was suspected during RFA, ablation was stopped immediately, and a cold solution of 5% dextrose was injected directly into the space where the nerves were located until symptoms improved. Patients were followed up after the procedure until symptoms had resolved. The clinical data of patients who received a cold dextrose solution injection for nerve damage were compared with those who did not receive such an injection.

Results: Of 17 patients who experienced nerve damage, 12 received an injection of cold dextrose solution shortly after the emergence of symptoms. While resolution of symptoms was seen in all 17 patients, the mean time to recovery was significantly faster in the 12 patients who received treatment with an injection of cold dextrose solution than in those patients who did not receive such a treatment (p value = .041).

Conclusions: In the event of thermal damage to adjacent nerve structures during RFA, the direct injection of a cold dextrose solution is a simple and effective treatment that can result in rapid symptom resolution.     

C-TIRADS与ACR TI-RADS对甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别诊断价值的对比研究

目的:通过对比并验证2020甲状腺结节超声恶性危险分层中国指南(C-TIRADS)与2017年美国放射学会提出的甲状腺成像报告和数据系统(ACR TI-RADS)对甲状腺结节恶性风险分层评估的诊断价值。方法:选取2019年1月-2021年11月在我院行甲状腺超声检查并住院完成手术治疗的甲状腺结节患者,回顾性分析258个结节的超声图像特征,对所有纳入研究的结节分别采用C-TIRADS和ACR TI-RADS指南进行评估,以手术病理结果为金标准,绘制ROC曲线,并根据约登指数选取最佳截断值,比较两种指南的诊断效能。结果:C-TIRADS和ACR TI-RADS诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、准确度及ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为87.9%、80.3%、84.4%、84.7%、84.5%、0.904和70.2%、89.7%、89.2%、71.4%、79.1%、0.879。两种指南的敏感度、特异度、阴性预测值差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),阳性预测值、准确度和AUC差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对于直径≤1 cm的亚组结节,C-TIRADS和...     

甲状腺良恶性结节鉴别中超微血管成像技术的运用价值初探

目的 探讨超微血管成像(SMI)技术对甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别的诊断价值.方法 对45个已进行常规超声检查的甲状腺结节术前行灰阶模式超微血管成像(mSMI)检查,观察结节在mSMI显像时结节边缘的血流显示特点,并结合病理分析mSMI在甲状腺结节良恶性判断中的运用价值.结果 mSMI对45个甲状腺结节的诊断与病理诊断的一致性较好,Kappa值为0.687,mSMI技术的诊断符合率为84.44%,高于常规超声的66.67%.结论 mSMI技术能清楚地显示甲状腺结节边缘的血流分布特点,为甲状腺结节良恶性判断提供新的依据.     

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of benign thyroid nodule is safe and efficacious in patients who continue taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent in the treatment period

Background: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is a promising treatment for benign thyroid nodules but because bleeding complications can occur following any intervention to the thyroid gland, the safety and efficacy of HIFU ablation were evaluated in patients who continued taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent during treatment.

Methods: From 2015 to 2017, 303 patients who underwent a single-session ablation for a benign thyroid nodule were analyzed. The primary study endpoint was thyroid bleeding, intra-lesional or peri-thyroidal hematoma or neck bruising diagnosed within 4?days of the treatment. Other endpoints included treatment-related complications, extent of nodule shrinkage and symptom score. Nodule volume was estimated by ultrasound. Extent of nodule shrinkage (by volume reduction ratio) (VRR)=?[Baseline volume – volume at 6-month]/[Baseline volume]?×?100. Obstructive symptom score (by 0– 10 visual analog scale, VAS) was evaluated after treatment.

Results: Twelve patients continued taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent while the other 291 patients did not during treatment. No patients in either group suffered active thyroid bleeding, intralesional/pericapsular hematoma or subcutaneous neck bruising in the first 4?days of treatment. Complication rate and the 6-month VRR were comparable between the two groups (0.0% vs. 1.7%, p?=?1.000 and 55.96% vs. 61.29%, respectively, p?=?.073).

Conclusions: HIFU ablation is a feasible treatment in patients who continue to take an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent during treatment and might be preferable in patients who continuously require an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent for one reason or another during treatment.     

Comparison of efficacy and complications between radiofrequency ablation and repeat surgery in the treatment of locally recurrent thyroid cancers: a single-center propensity score matching study

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and complication rates of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and repeat surgery in the treatment of locally recurrent thyroid cancers.

Materials and methods: A total of 221 patients with locally recurrent thyroid cancers who underwent either RFA (n?=?96) or repeat surgery (n?=?125) between March 2008 and March 2017 were retrospectively enrolled (range of follow-up, 1–10?years). Each cohort consisted of 70 patients after propensity score adjustment. Patients with more than three recurrent lesions were excluded. The primary and secondary end points were recurrence-free survival and complication rates, respectively. Recurrence-free survival curves were compared via the log-rank test. The complications—voice changes, hypocalcemia, and immediate procedural complications—were compared between the groups. In addition, pretreatment serum thyroglobulin (T_g) levels and those at the last follow-up were also compared between the two groups to examine therapeutic efficacy.

Results: After propensity score matching, both groups showed no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The recurrence-free survival rates were comparable between the RFA and surgery groups (p?=?.2). There were no significant differences in mean serum T_g levels and their mean decrease after treatment between the groups (p?=?.891 and p?=?.963, respectively). Immediate procedural complications and voice changes also showed no significant between-group differences (p?=?.316, p?=?.084, respectively). Hypocalcemia occurred only in the repeat surgery group (n?=?18). Overall complications were significantly more frequent in the repeat surgery group (RFA, n?=?7; surgery, n?=?27; p?<?.001).

Conclusion: RFA may be an effective and safe alternative to repeat surgery in the treatment of a small number of locally recurrent thyroid cancers.     

Multiple primary breast and thyroid cancers: role of age at diagnosis and cancer treatments (United States)

Background:Breast and thyroid cancer have been observed to occur more frequently than expected as multiple primary tumors in women. The study presented herein focuses on the effects of age at diagnosis and treatment for the first cancer on the development of the second cancer. Methods:This retrospective cohort study used a study population consisting of 38,632 women diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer and 2189 women diagnosed with primary invasive thyroid cancer between 1974 and 1994. Cases were identified from records of the Cancer Surveillance System of western Washington and followed for subsequent cancer development through 1995. Results:Seventy-one women were diagnosed during their lives with both breast and thyroid cancers. Including cancers diagnosed during the same month as or after the initial cancer, the relative risk (RR) of breast cancer among women with thyroid cancer was 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–2.0), and the RR of thyroid cancer among women with breast cancer was 1.5 (95% CI 1.1–2.2). Among women with thyroid cancer, risk of breast cancer was greatest when the latter cancer was diagnosed under 45 years of age (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–4.4). First course of treatment, including radiation or hormonal therapy to treat thyroid cancer, and radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy to treat breast cancer, did not alter a woman's risk of developing the second cancer. Conclusions:The data suggest that the incidence of breast and thyroid cancer may be related, and that in particular women with thyroid cancer may be at a moderately increased risk of developing breast cancer before age 45.     

The atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance:malignant ratio: a proposed performance measure for reporting in The Bethesda System for thyroid cytopathology

BACKGROUND:

The Bethesda System (TBS) for reporting thyroid cytopathology introduced the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS) category, but did not provide adequate guidance for the appropriate use of this diagnosis. In the current study, the authors sought to identify an appropriate measure for AUS use based on experience to date with TBS.

METHODS:

The authors reviewed 8 series, including their own laboratory experiences, with a total of 30,466 thyroid aspirates classified within TBS.

RESULTS:

The median AUS rate was 9.9% with a range of 3.0% to 18.0%. Use of the individual diagnostic categories within TBS varied up to 12.7‐fold. The ratio of “suspicious for follicular neoplasm” plus “suspicious for malignancy” to “malignant” (M) diagnoses varied the least (1.8‐fold). The AUS:M ratio provided a suitable measure of assessing AUS use, with a median ratio of 2.0 and a range of 0.5 to 4.9.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on available studies, an AUS:M ratio of 1.0 to 3.0 is recommended. AUS:M ratios > 3.0 are likely because of overdiagnosis of AUS or underdiagnosis of M. AUS:M ratios < 1.0 are mostly due to low AUS rates, at the likely expense of sensitivity. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.