Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Thyroid nodule is a frequent condition, being diagnosed in up to 70% of subjects who had undergone thyroid ultrasound. Around 90-95% of them became being benign and, if the do not cause compressive symptoms or esthetical problems, they do not need specific therapy, only clinical follow up. Traditionally, thyroidectomy has been the main therapeutic option in these cases. Radiofrequency and ethanol ablations are recently introduced non-invasive therapies that permit avoid surgery and its related possible complications. Many studies have already evaluated the effectiveness of radiofrequency and ethanol ablation therapies in the reduction of benign thyroid nodule volume. The aim of this study has been to evaluate its efficacy in reducing the volume of benign thyroid nodules.

Material and Methods: This study is a series of 5 patients with a benign thyroid nodule, verified by FNA. All of them were woman between x and x years old, three radiofrequency ablation and two ethanol ablations. We have determinate the hormonal levels and the measures of the nodule before the ablation, 1 month, 2 months and 6 months after of the intervention. We also asked patients about their initial symptoms and the degree of satisfaction with this procedure.

Results: 5 subjects (100% woman) were analysed with an average age of 53.2 ± 12 years old with diagnosis of benign thyroid nodule. Initially, measures average was 20.4 x 24.20 x 33 cm (APxTxS), thyroid function was normal in all the patients, and 80% of the cases noticed compressive symptoms. One month after the intervention, nodules size decreased to 14x19x27.3 cm on average and compressive symptomatology disappeared total or partially. Even six months later nodules continued decreasing to 11.2 x 11.7 x 20.6 cm. Along this time, thyroid hormones were at range. All the patients are so satisfied and would repeat it if were necessary.

Conclusions: As we have found (and many other studies), radiofrequency and ethanol ablations permit reduce nodules size and solve compressive symptoms caused by them. Both techniques have few complications and patients feel so satisfied. Considering all this points, they are demonstrating being excellent alternatives to hemithyroidectomy in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.