@article{GS18145,
author = {Francesco Morelli and Anna Maria Ierardi and Giovanni Pompili and Andrea Sacrini and Pierpaolo Biondetti and Salvatore Alessio Angileri and Giovanni Montesano and Mario Petrillo and Roberta Giacchero and Gianlorenzo Dionigi and Gianpaolo Carrafiello},
title = {Cooled tip radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: preliminary experience with two different devices},
journal = {Gland Surgery},
volume = {7},
number = {2},
year = {2018},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: Thyroid nodules are very common in general population. Even if benign, they may require a treatment in case of symptoms or cosmetic concerns. In the last years, minimally invasive treatments alternative to surgery have been developed, in particular ultrasound (US) guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Methods: Twenty-four patients (9 males; 15 females; mean age 57.9 years) were treated and divided in two groups (A and B) according to the RFA needle used (18 gauge needle, AMICA; 17 gauge needle, COVIDIEN). Nodules and patients characteristics, together with procedural data were registered pretreatment and at 1-month follow-up. US visibility of the needle, volume of the nodules, symptoms and cosmetic concerns, complications were registered.
Results: Visibility of the needle was not significantly different in the two groups (P=0.0787). At 1 month the mean volume of the nodules dropped from 37.1 to 25 mL in group A and from 23.2 to 15.4 mL in group B; shrinkage rate (36.9% and 39.5%, respectively) was not significantly different (P=0.3137). Symptoms decreased from 3.1 to 1.4 in group A and from 4 to 1.6 in group B: no significant differences in reductions were observed (P=0.3305). Cosmetic score decreased from 3.7 to 3.4 in group A and from 3.9 to 3.6 in group B: no significant differences in reductions were observed (P=0.96). Total complication rate (18.2% in group A vs. 23.1% in group B) did not showed significant differences (P=0.5049).
Conclusions: The two systems used in our study resulted equivalent in terms of US needle visibility, efficacy, symptom/cosmetic relief, safety. More patients and a longer follow-up are necessary to confirm our results.},
issn = {2227-8575}, url = {https://gs.amegroups.org/article/view/18145}
}