Project description:BackgroundUltrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures are widely used to treat thyroid diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ethanol ablation (EA) in comparison with other non-surgical options in the treatment of benign thyroid cystic nodules.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of studies on EA for thyroid cystic nodules, mainly in the Ovid-MEDLINE and Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The standardized mean difference (SMD) of the volume reduction ratio (VRR) after EA versus other non-surgical treatments comprised the primary outcome, whereas the odds ratio (OR) of therapeutic success rates between the two groups comprised the secondary outcome.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 19 studies (four randomized controlled trials and 15 non-randomized studies) with 1,514 participants. The cumulative VRR of EA was 83.908% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79.358% to 88.457%). EA had a significantly higher pooled VRR (SMD, 0.381; 95% CI, 0.028 to 0.734; P=0.030), but not a significantly higher pooled therapeutic success rate (OR, 0.867; 95% CI, 0.132 to 5.689; P=0.880), than other forms of non-surgical management including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), polidocanol sclerotherapy, and simple aspiration with or without saline flush. However, the VRR and therapeutic success rate were not significantly different between EA and RFA. Major complications were recorded only in six patients (0.53%) with self-limiting dysphonia.ConclusionThe role of EA as the first-line treatment for benign thyroid cysts and predominantly cystic nodules is supported by its high effectiveness and good safety profile compared to other currently available non-surgical options.
Project description:PurposeTo evaluate percutaneous laser ablation in treating benign thyroid nodules, we conducted a meta-analysis based on summarizing existing researches.Materials and methodsA literature search for clinical trial was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Excerpt Medica Database. The qualities of included studies were evaluated. We calculated the indexes with mean difference. Heterogeneity and publication bias were tested and explored. We performed subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis further.ResultsA total of 19 researches and 2137 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimates of nodule volume were statistically significant after percutaneous laser ablation for 1 month, 3 month, 6month, 12month, 24month and 36month(P < 0.05). The pooled estimate of thyroid-stimulating hormone was statistically significant after percutaneous laser ablation for 1 and 12 month (P = 0.008 and P = 0.03). The pooled estimate of free triiodothyronine was no statistically significant after percutaneous laser ablation for all follow-up intervals. The pooled estimate of free tetraiodothyronin was statistically significant after percutaneous laser ablation1 month (P = 0.004). The pooled estimate of thyroglobulin was statistically significant after percutaneous laser ablation 24 month (P = 0.04). The heterogeneity was found and the source of heterogeneity was explored in nodule volume for 6 and 12 month. No publication bias was found.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis demonstrated that percutaneous laser ablation was safe and useful in shrinking benign thyroid nodules volume, improving thyroid function, relieving symptoms of pressure and esthetic, especial for hyper-vascular benign thyroid nodules. Larger number of high-quality prospective studies still needs to be performed.
Project description:Compared with microwave ablation (MWA), percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (LA) have been recommended as minimally invasive treatments for patients with symptomatic benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) because of the large number of clinical applications. This prospective multicenter study sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of RFA and MWA for BTNs. In eight participating institutions, the total number of 1252 patients treated by RFA and MWA were 649 ones with 687 BTNs and 603 ones with 664 BTNs, respectively. The clinical outcomes including the nodular maximal diameter reduction ratio (MDRR), the nodular volume reduction ratio (VRR), and the incidence of complications were compared to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two techniques. The results for the nodular MDRR and VRR in the RFA group were significantly better than those in the MWA group at 6 months and later follow-up, and the major complication rates of 4.78% and 6.63% in RFA and MWA groups showed no statistically significant differences. In conclusion, both RFA and MWA are safe and effective techniques for selected patients with symptomatic BTNs. The achieved MDRR and VRR in the RFA group were greater than those in the MWA group at 6 months and later follow-up.
Project description:BackgroundThe aim of this research is to investigate the feasibility of percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for benign solid thyroid nodules.MethodsUltrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was performed for 90 benign solid thyroid nodules in 75 patients. The volume changes of the nodules were evaluated before and after microwave ablation, and the cosmetic grading and clinical symptoms were assessed as well.ResultsThe volume of all the 90 benign thyroid nodules obviously decreased after microwave ablation at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups (p < 0.01), while that of the control group increased at the follow-up of 12 months (p < 0.01). The volume reduction rate (VRR) at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups was 55.98%, 69.31%, 76.65%, and 84.67% in the MWA group, respectively. The cosmetic problems and clinical symptoms were also improved in the MWA group. All the patients are well tolerated to the procedure. Hoarseness occurred in 2 cases (2.7%) and Horner syndrome in 1 case (1.3%), and 1 patient (1.3%) developed slight burn on cervical skin.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation is a practical method for treating benign solid thyroid nodules, and the complications were acceptable. The trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov with the registration number NCT03057925.
Project description:Purpose:To clarify some relevant and significant inconsistencies and inaccuracies in review by Mainini et al. entitled "Image-guided thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules" published in Journal of Ultrasound to avoid giving incorrect information to the reader and prevent that operators make wrong choices in the use of various devices and technologies available. Results:Total cases treated with radiofrequency would be 2388 and not 2435 as reported in Table 1 of this review. The major, minor complications, and side effects in the partial group treated with laser technique and reported in this review are actually 1.2, 3.8, and 35.4%, respectively. In series of patients treated with laser ablation, including a total of 2345 patients, major and minor complications are 0.7 and 1.4%, respectively. The major complications of laser technology are less severe than RFA. Conclusions:Several points regarding the paper by Mainini et al. need to be discussed, and I advocate authors for replying to my considerations to clarify the issues raised.
Project description:BACKGROUND: Following fine needle aspiration, 15-30% of thyroid nodules are not clearly benign or malignant. These cytologically indeterminate nodules are often referred for diagnostic surgery, though most prove benign. A novel diagnostic test measuring the expression of 167 genes has shown promise in improving pre-operative risk assessment. We evaluated this test in a prospective, multicenter study. METHODS: Over 19 months, we performed a prospective study at 49 clinical sites enrolling 3,789 patients and collecting 4,812 samples from thyroid nodules >1cm requiring evaluation. We obtained 577 cytologically indeterminate aspirates with corresponding histopathology of excised lesions on 413. Central blinded histopathologic review served as the reference (“gold”) standard. After applying inclusion criteria, gene expression classifier results were obtained for 265 indeterminate nodules used in this analysis, and performance was calculated. RESULTS: 85 of 265 indeterminate nodules were malignant. The gene expression classifier correctly identified 78 of 85 as ‘suspicious’ (92% sensitivity, [84%-97%] 95% CI). Specificity was 52%, [44%-59%]. The negative predictive value was 95%, 94%, and 85%, respectively, for aspirates with AUS/FLUS, FN/SFN, or ‘suspicious’ cytology. Analysis of 7 false negative cases revealed 6 with a paucity of thyroid follicular cells, suggesting that insufficient sampling of the nodule had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Though individualized clinical care is recommended, these data support consideration of a conservative approach for most patients with indeterminate FNA cytology and benign gene expression classifier results.
Project description:PurposeRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) are effective and safe for benign symptomatic thyroid nodules (BSTNs). However, relatively little is known about the effects of these procedures on patients' quality of life (QoL). This prospective, multicenter study evaluated the effects of RFA and EA on changes in thyroid-specific QoL in patients with BSTNs and assessed the volume reduction and safety of these procedures.MethodsEighty-six consecutive patients with 86 BSTNs were prospectively included from two medical centers. RFA was performed for 55 BSTNs with solidity ≥50% and EA was performed for 31 BSTNs with solidity <50%. QoL was evaluated using an 11-scale, multiple-choice thyroid-specific QoL questionnaire. Nodule characteristics and QoL were evaluated at diagnosis and 1, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Overall QoL was rated from 0 (good) to 4 (poor).ResultsThe mean longest size and volume of the index nodule were 4.2±1.5 cm and 21.6±22.1 mL, respectively. Patients received 1.1 treatments on average (range, 1 to 2). Significant post-treatment volume reductions were noted; however, the EA group showed a higher volume reduction than the RFA group at 1 (78.7%-16.1% vs. 49.1%-15.8%), 6 (86.3%-21.7% vs. 73.0%-14.5%), and 12 (90.9%-14.9% vs. 80.3%-12.4%) months. The score for each scale of the QoL questionnaire improved significantly during follow-up (all P<0.001). Overall QoL improved significantly, from 1.7±0.9 at diagnosis to 0.6±0.7 at the 12-month follow-up (P<0.001). There were no major complications.ConclusionBoth RFA and EA are safe and effective in reducing nodule volume and improving thyroid-specific QoL in patients with BSTNs.