Safety and efficacy of thermal ablation (radiofrequency and laser): should we treat all types of thyroid nodules?

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive technique that is gradually acknowledged as an effective alternative to surgery to treat thyroid nodules. Two main techniques have been described: radiofrequency (RFA) and laser ablation. <b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the two main techniques (RFA and laser ablation) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. <b>Patients:</b> This bicentric retrospective study included 166 consecutive patients, who received clinical, biological and ultrasound evaluations for thyroid nodules, from October 2013 to November 2017. <b>Methods:</b> One of the two techniques was proposed if a nodule was proven to be benign after fine needle aspiration cytology or micro-biopsy. Adverse events and outcomes (symptoms, nodule reduction) were assessed at 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment. <b>Results:</b> One hundred and eighty-nine nodules (mean size 17.5 ± 16.9 mL, 86.1% palpable) were treated by RFA (n = 108 (57.1%)) or laser ablation (<i>n</i> = 81 (42.9%)) in 166 patients (80.1% women, mean age 51.7 years). Two cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, one hematoma, and two successfully drained abscesses (5/166 = 3%) were observed. Clinical symptoms improved significantly in the two groups (anterior cervical discomfort -83.6%, esthetic complaints -84.9% and dysphagia -86.4%). Nodule volume (mL) decreased significantly (baseline <i>vs.</i> 18 months) from 20.4 ± 18.6 to 5.8 ± 6.6 (-75%) in the RFA, and from 13.6 ± 13.3 to 3.4 ± 4.1 (-83.9%) in the laser ablation groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> Transient but potentially serious adverse events were reported in 3% of patients. A significant volumetric reduction was achieved with both techniques, regardless of nodule's characteristics, at 18 months.