Efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules

Abstract

Background

We evaluated 45 benign thyroid nodules of 40 patients treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation and followed up for 6 months. The inclusion criteria included unilateral or bilateral thyroid nodules with compression symptoms or cosmetic problems, cytological confirmation of benignity without atypical cells, and patient refusal or unfit for surgery. There was no predilection for the size, number, ultrasound nature of the nodules, (solid, cystic, or complex). RF ablation was performed using Mygen (M-3004) RF generator from RF Medical Co., Ltd, South Korea. The volume of the nodules and clinical problems were evaluated before and after the procedure. Complications and factors related to volume reduction were evaluated. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of US-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Results

The volume reduction ratio (%) of the thyroid nodules was statistically significant. The mean VRR was 58.41 ± 15.27SD at 1 month, 73.26 ± 11.22SD at 3 months, and 82.54 ± 12.49SD at 6 months. P value was < 0.001. The radiofrequency ablation did not affect the normal thyroid function of the 38 patients who were euthyroid at the start of the study. Thyroid function normalized 1 month after ablation of the two autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. The compressive symptoms resolved in 22 patients (55%) and improved in the rest of the 18 patients (45%) with the median decreased from 8 (IQR 6–9), range 4–10 before treatment to 0 (IQR 0–1), range 0–3 after 6 months. Cosmetic problems improved in all 40 patients by P value < 0.001. The procedure had no sustained or life-threatening complications.

Conclusions

RF ablation was effective in reducing the size of the benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related compressive symptoms as well as cosmetic problems. There were no major complications sustained and no life-threatening complications or sequelae happened. RF ablation can be used as an alternative non-surgical minimally invasive treatment for patients with benign thyroid nodules.

Background

Nodular thyroid disease is a very common finding in clinical practice [1]. The prevalence of the thyroid nodules is 20 to 76% [2]. Although most of thyroid nodules are benign and do not require treatment, some benign nodules may require treatment for associated compression symptoms and/or cosmetic problems [3]. Surgery and radioiodine therapy have been used for patients with symptomatic thyroid nodules, although both surgery and radioiodine therapy can cause complications, such as voice change or hypothyroidism [4]. Over the last two decades, non-surgical, minimally invasive, US-guided techniques have been proposed for the treatment of thyroid nodules [1]. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new minimally invasive modality that serves as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules [5]. Benign thyroid nodules and AFTN could be treated by RF ablation [6]. RFA has been shown to relieve compressive symptoms and cosmetic problems caused by benign thyroid nodule s [6]. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of US-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules as well as preservation of the normal thyroid function.

Methods

Patients

Forty patients, 28 (70.0%) females and 12 (30.0%) males, with a mean age ± SD = 47.28 ± 13.79 years, age range 21–80 years, received RF ablation for benign thyroid nodules in our institute and other different private hospitals. An informed consent was obtained from all patients before each procedure. Among them, patients were enrolled as they fulfilled the following criteria: reported compressive symptoms and/or cosmetic problems, cytologically confirmed benign thyroid nodule on tru-cut biopsy or two separate US-guided FNAB or one FNAB with US imaging finding without suspicious malignant features [7, 8], baseline serum thyroid profile either normal level or high in case of AFTN, and refusal of or unfit for surgery.

Preparation and participation

Before RF ablation, clinical evaluation for compression symptoms and cosmetic problems, US imaging (volume of the thyroid nodule and the composition of the nodule either solid, complex, or cystic) [9], and laboratory data (thyroid hormone level) were obtained for all patients [10]. One tru-cut biopsy or two separate FNAB were performed using a linear probe (10 MHz). The three diameters of each nodule (i.e., the largest diameter and two other perpendicular diameters) were measured by ultrasound and the nodule volumes were calculated using the following equation πabc/6 (where (a) is the largest diameter, (b) and (c) are the other two perpendicular diameters). In case of multiple thyroid nodules in each lobe, the single dominant nodule was measured and treated. At the time of their enrollment, patient rated their symptoms on a 10-point visual analog scale (range 0–10) [11,12,13] and cosmetic grading score was assessed: (1) no palpable mass, (2) no cosmetic problem but a palpable mass, (3) a cosmetic problem on swallowing only, and (4) a readily detected cosmetic problem [11,12,13]. The baseline laboratory data included serum free T3 and T4 thyroid hormone level as well as TSH.

Procedure

RF ablation was performed on an outpatient basis. All patients were given a single dose of an intravenous antibiotic (sulbactam/ampicillin) and anti-edematous (hydrocortisone sodium succinate) drugs just before the procedure. We used Mygen (M-3004) RF generator from RF Medical Co., Ltd, South Korea, with a modified straight internally cooled (18 gauge, 7 cm in length) electrode with an active tip 5, 7, and 10 mm according to the size of the nodule (13,14). “We used electrodes with an active tip 5mm for the nodules less than 50ml in volume, 7mm for the nodules were 50-100ml in volume and 10mm for the larger nodules than 100ml volume”. Six patients were treated under local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine at the puncture site. The rest of the 34 patients were treated under conscious sedation (Intravenous fentanyl with midazolam) as well as the local anesthesia. Cystic nodules were aspirated first before the ablation. Under US guidance, we performed hydro-dissection for all patients with 5% dextrose, either under the skin (to prevent skin burns) or to distance other critical structures near the ablation zone. Dextrose was re-administered regularly as it was seen to be re-absorbed under ultrasound [14]. During the procedure, we pay great attention to the preservation of surrounding important structures to prevent significant complication such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury which is located in the trachea-esophageal groove. RF ablation was done using trans-isthmic approach and moving shot technique [15,16,17]. Ablation began with 30W power which was reduced if the patient did not tolerate the pain. If the formation of a transient hyperechoic zone at the electrode tip did not appear within 10s, power was increased in 10W gradually up to 100W. When a transient hyperechoic zone expanded around the electrode tip (Fig. 1), the electrode was moved to an untreated area. This technique was named the “moving-shot technique” as shown in Fig. 2. Before ablation, we divide the nodule “the periphery of the nodule as well as the portion of the nodule adjacent to the critical neck structures” into units. The nodule was then treated unit by unit using the moving shot technique [19, 20]. During the ablation both thighs were checked frequently to prevent skin burn. The ablation time and power ranged from 5 to 30 min (mean 14 min) and 50–100 W respectively. Ablation was terminated when all units of the nodule had changed to transient hyper echoic zones [21]. Ice packs were applied during and after the ablation to prevent skin burns at the ablation probe puncture site. All patients except for the complicated ones were discharged within 30 min after the procedure including patients who were sedated but after complete recovery from the sedation and advised to maintain the ice packs on the puncture site for about 1 h. Oral antibiotics (Amoxycillin + Clavulanate potassium), analgesics (Paracetamol), and antiedematous (Alphintern) drugs were prescribed for all patients for 1 week duration post procedure. Complications were assessed intraoperatively and postoperatively by the clinical signs and symptoms. Compressive symptoms, cosmetic problem, US examination of the thyroid nodule and thyroid profile were all evaluated on follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months. The VRR was assessed by US imaging and was calculated by the following equation: volume reduction ratio (%) = (initial volume (ml) − final volume (ml)) × 100)/ initial volume. Additional ablation (second session) was performed for the following reasons: (1) other lobe nodule to avoid doing bilateral nodules in the same session to decrease the possibility of tracheal compression by postoperative edema, (2) large solid part of the nodule more than 50cc, (3) unsatisfactory response on 1 or 3 months’ follow-up, and (4) some nodules with retrosternal extension.

Fig. 1

US picture of the RF electrode passing through the thyroid nodule and a transient hyperechoic zone around its tip

Fig. 2

Schema of the trans-isthmic approach and the moving shot technique [18]

Results

Baseline characteristics

The baseline characteristics and clinical data of the patients are summarized in Table 1 and baseline data of the nodules in Table 2. Four patients needed a second session; in two of the patients, the second session was done for the same nodule due to large size of the nodule with retrosternal extension in one of them, and in the other two patients, the second session was done for the other lobe nodule. No patient was lost to follow-up in this study.

Table 1 Main characteristics and baseline clinical data of the 40 patients

Table 2 Main characteristics of the 45 thyroid nodules of the 40 patients

Volume of the thyroid nodules

The median of the volume of the nodules was decreased significantly at 1, 3, and 6 months; it was 5.5 (IQR 3.2–12) at 1 month, 3.3 (IQR 1.9–6.8) at 3 months, and 2.2 (IQR 1.2–3.5) at 6 months compared to 15 (IQR 8.5–39.5) pretreatment P value < 0.001. The volume reduction ratio (%) was statistically significant. The mean VRR± SD was 58.41 ± 15.27 at 1 month, 73.26 ± 11.22 at 3 months, and 82.54 ± 12.49 at 6 months (Figs. 3 and 4).

Fig. 3

Reduction of the thyroid nodules volume during follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months

Fig. 4

Volume reduction ratio changes during the follow-up

Symptoms evaluation

The median of the compressive symptoms scoring was significantly decreased; it was 4 (IQR 3–5) at 1 month, 2 (IQR 1–3) at 3 months, and 0 (IQR 0–1) at 6 months compared to 8 (IQR 6–9) before RF ablation, P value <0.001. The median of the cosmetic problem scoring was 2 (IQR 1.5–2) at 1 month, 1 (IQR 1–2) at 3 months, and 1 (IQR 1–1) at 6 months compared to 4 (IQR 3–4) before treatment P value <0.001 (Figs. 5 and 6).

Fig. 5

Decreasing of the compressive symptoms scoring during follow-up

Fig. 6

Decreasing of the cosmetic problem scoring at 1, 3, and 6 months

Thyroid hormone level evaluation

The 38 euthyroid patients remained euthyroid at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up. The two hyperthyroid patients reverted back to euthyroid state after 1 month and remained euthyroid on 3 and 6 months’ follow-up. The follow-up of the thyroid nodules’ volume, patients’ symptoms, and the thyroid hormone level is summarized in Table 3.

Table 3 Summary of the follow-up of the thyroid nodule volume, patients’ symptoms, and the thyroid hormone level

The correlation between US picture of the thyroid nodules and the power of RF ablation

In this study, there was a significant relation between the texture of the thyroid nodule by US and the power of the RF ablation used to achieve the appropriate volume reduction. The mean power used was 71.14 ± 17.32SD for the solid nodules, 88.13 ± 5.44SD for the complex nodules, and 100.00 ± 0.00SD for the cystic nodules. Data are summarized in Table 4 and demonstrated in Fig. 7.

Table 4 The correlation between the texture of the thyroid nodule by US and the power of RF ablation

Fig. 7

The more cystic component of the nodule the more RF ablation power needed

The relation between the composition the thyroid nodule and the volume reduction ratio

During follow-up, there was no significant relation between the composition of the thyroid nodules by US and the VRR. The mean volume reduction ratio of the nodules after 1 month was 59.50 ± 13.47SD for the solid nodules, 55.21 ± 17.26SD for the complex nodules, and 70.30 ± 22.28SD for the cystic nodules. After 3 months, it was 70.39 ± 11.71SD for the solid nodules, 76.14 ± 9.32SD for the complex nodules, and 90.30 ± 0.00SD for the cystic nodules. After 6 months, it was 81.02 ± 10.81SD for the solid nodules, 84.00 ± 14.82SD for the complex nodules, and 92.42 ± 0.00SD for the cystic nodules. P value was > 0.05. The data are summarized in Table 5 and demonstrated in Fig. 8.

Table 5 The relation between the composition the thyroid nodule and the volume reduction ratio

Fig. 8

The relation between the initial US composition of the thyroid nodules and the volume reduction ratio after RF ablation

Complications and safety

Major and minor complications were those defined by the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) [22, 23]. A major complication was defined as one that, if left untreated, might threaten the patient’s life, lead to substantial morbidity or disability, or result in a lengthened hospital stay. All other complications were considered minor. Thirty-seven 37 (92.5%) out of 40 patients did not develop any complications during the study. One of the 40 patients (2.5%) developed a major complication, grade C “according to the SIR complication classification” it was voice changes immediately after the procedure; the patient had a thyroid nodule located close to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the nerve compressed by the edema and hydro dissection, and we discharged the patient to the recovery room after the procedure and put her under observation for 6 h. The voice changes were transient and fully recovered after about 4 h when the edema is partially absorbed by the tissues. Two patients (5%) developed minor complications. One of them (2.5%) developed first degree burn during the ablation, grade B ‘according to the SIR complication classification’, the patient had a thyroid nodule at the isthmus very superficially and the hydro dissection could not prevent the skin burn to happen. It recovered completely without scar formation after about 1 month duration with topical treatment. The other patient (2.5%) developed small hematoma, grade A ‘according to the SIR complication classification’ due to minor touch of the carotid artery by the tip of the electrode during ablation, the patient had a nodule adjacent to the common carotid artery and the hydro dissection was not enough to separate the nodule from the carotid artery, we removed the electrode and compressed the neck for 10 min, the hematoma subsided, and it resolved completely at the same day after about 3 h. No sustained complication happened. No life-threating complications. Summary of complications and its fate are demonstrated in Table 6 and Figs. 9 and 10.

Table 6 Demonstration of complications happened in the 40 patients, no sustained or life-threating complications

Fig. 9

Summary of complications

Fig. 10

Fate of complications

Discussion

The present study shows that RF ablation resulted in a significant reduction in the volume of the benign thyroid nodules (Fig. 11). The volume reduction ratio (%) was 82.54 ±12.49 SD after 6 months. In other studies, the maximum benefit was reported to be 69 to 90% and was found at 6 to 9 months [15, 22, 24, 25]. RF ablation improved the compressive and/or cosmetic problems (Fig. 12). It did not affect the function of the normal thyroid gland. There was strong relation between the US texture of the thyroid nodule and the RF power used during the ablation to achieve the appropriate nodule volume reduction. Cystic nodules usually need a higher RF ablation power in comparison to the solid nodules; this was not mentioned before in any literature. There was no significant relation between the composition of the nodule and the volume reduction ratio of the thyroid nodules at 1, 3, and 6 months. Jeong et al. [16] reported that at 1 and 3 months’ follow-up, cystic nodules decreased in size more than the other types (P = 0.000 and 0.007, respectively) but there was no significant difference between the types of the nodules at 6 months’ follow-up (P = 0.621). The nodules which needed a second session to achieve appropriate volume reduction are the larger nodules “its solid component more than 50ml in volume”, thyroid nodules at both thyroid lobes as well as thyroid nodules with retrosternal extension. Several previous studies [26,27,28] reported that one treatment session was sufficient for treatment of thyroid nodules, because the primary purpose of thyroid nodule ablation was the resolution of cosmetic problems and nodule-related symptoms rather than complete ablation. However, marginal regrowth of an incompletely treated nodule may be a major cause of recurrent symptoms during follow-up. Large nodules require multiple treatment sessions, because a single session cannot result in complete ablation. RF ablation is effective in the treatment of recurrent benign thyroid nodules after surgical treatment. No patients required additional surgery or other treatment during the follow-up period because of recurrence or incompletely resolved clinical problems. No sustained or life-threatening complications happened. Although surgery is a curative treatment for the benign thyroid nodules, yet permanent hypothyroidism is inevitable after total gland resection. In addition, unilateral lobectomy can cause subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism [29]. The most common complications of thyroid surgery are vocal cord palsy, postoperative hemorrhage, and hypothyroidism [30]. More recent studies have reported an incidence of permanent, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy of 0.3–1.7% and of permanent hypoparathyroidism of 0.7–3% after total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules [31]. Surgery also has other drawbacks, including general anesthesia and cosmetic scar formation. RF ablation preserves normal thyroid gland function and minimizes the complications compared to surgery. Several studies have reported that RF ablation is an effective and safe alternative to surgery for treating benign thyroid nodules [16, 17]. Lim et al. [21] reported that RF was effective in shrinking benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related problems over a 4-year follow-up for 111 patients with no life-threatening complications. Jeong et al. [16] demonstrated that RF ablation was safe and effective in decreasing the volume of the thyroid nodules during follow-up of 236 patients. Hamidi et al. [3] reported that RF ablation could be an alternative to surgery in the management of both toxic and non-toxic benign thyroid nodules through a study done on 14 patients with benign thyroid nodules. Baek et al. [32] reported that the complications happened from RF ablation for 1459 patient with 1543 thyroid nodules were 48 complications (3.3%); all complications were recovered with no sustained complications.

Fig. 11

A 36-year-old woman presented with solitary benign thyroid nodule. a Transverse US imaging performed before RF ablation shows a left solid nodule. b Transverse US image obtained after 1-month follow-up shows decreasing in the size of the nodule. c Volume reduction of the treated nodules on 3-month follow-up. d Marked volume reduction of the left nodule is noted on US image obtained 6 months after RF ablation

Fig. 12

A 42-year-old male patient had complained of neck bulging due to benign thyroid nodule. a Before RF ablation, he had severe neck bulging. b After RF ablation, neck bulging improved gradually during the follow-up period (6 months after RF ablation)

Conclusion

US-guided RF ablation is an alternative non-surgical minimally invasive modality in the treatment of the benign thyroid nodules. It is an effective method in reducing the size of the benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related compressive symptoms and cosmetic problems. RF ablation is a safe procedure and can minimize the complications could happen from surgery.