Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating of benign thyroid nodules both autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFN) and symptomatic ones.

Material and Methods: The retrospective analysis included the results of treatment of 650 patients with benign tumors of the thyroid gland in the Samara Oncology Center since 2014 year. 182 (28 %) patients had autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and 468 (72 %) had symptomatic ones. The mean volume of nodule was 36.5 ml.

Results: RFA reduced nodular volume by 70.8 % after 6 months, 84.2 % after 60 months and it was an effective method for treating nodule-related clinical problems and hot nodules. 67 (10.1 %) patients with big nodule volume underwent 2-7 sessions of RFA. Cosmetic results were excellent in 96 % of patients. No serious complications such as thyroiditis, voice change, and hematomas were observed in RFA patients. Skin burned observed in 1 patient.

Conclusion: RFA was effective and safe method for outpatient treatment of benign thyroid nodules. RFA might be alternative to surgical treatment.