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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · The Arab Journal of Interventional Radiology 2022; 06(01): 041-046
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750110
Original Article

Efficacy and Safety of Radio Frequency Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: Initial Clinical Experience in United Arab Emirates

Kwang Hwi Lee
1   Department of Radiology, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
,
Eui Yong Jeon
1   Department of Radiology, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
,
Sung June Jang
2   Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
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Abstract

Objectives Radio frequency ablation (RFA) to treat thyroid nodules is well known as one of alternative therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and complications of RFA to treat symptomatic benign thyroid nodules in United Arab Emirates.

Materials and Methods Eight-nine benign thyroid nodules of 63 patients were enrolled, who were treated by percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided RFA from 2017 to 2020, and had following US examinations during 12 months after RFA procedure. Symptomatic score with 10-cm visual scale, cosmetic score with four-point scale, and US findings (nodule diameter, volume, composition and vascularity) were compared before and after RFA procedures. RFA-related complications (hematoma, voice change, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism) were assessed.

Statistical Analysis Paired t test was applied to compare laboratory findings before and after RFA procedure. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine significant factors to predict the efficacy of RFA. One-way analysis of variance was applied to compare volume reduction rate (VRR) at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results Symptomatic and cosmetic scores were significantly improved (pre-RFA vs. post-RFA; 6.07 ± 1.89 vs. 2.06 ± 1.09, 2.94 ± 0.84 vs. 1.27 ± 0.51, p< 0.001). Nodule diameter (cm), volume (mL) at pre-RFA, post-RFA 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months were 3.86 ± 1.26, 2.64 ± 1.14, 2.06 ± 1.09, 1.82 ± 1.14, and 18.8 ± 18.79, 8.82 ± 12.42, 4.47 ± 5.59, 4.11 ± 9.17 (p< 0.001). VRR (%) was 52.81 ± 23.48 at post-RFA 3 months, 79.77 ± 16.91 at 6 months, and 82.08 ± 19.54 at 12 months. Composition of solidity was a significant predictive factor, related to VRR at post-RFA 12 months (p = 0.003). Complication rate was 12.7% (8 of 63 patients). Major complications did not occur.

Conclusion RFA can be an effective and safe alternative modality to treat benign thyroid nodules, and be preferable to treat symptomatic cystic thyroid nodules in Middle East population.

Keywords

radio frequency ablation - thyroid gland - ultrasound

Authors' Contributions

K.H.L. and E.Y.J. conceptualized and designed the study. K.H.L. and S.J.J. acquired the data. K.H.L. and E.Y.J. analyzed and interpreted the data. K.H.L. was involved in drafting of the manuscript. E.Y.J. and S.J.J. critically revised the manuscript. S.J.J. was also involved in statistical analysis. K.H.L. and E.Y.J. contributed to study administration and supervision.


Ethical Approval

This study was approved by Ministry of Health and Prevention Research Ethics Committee (MOHAP/DXB-REC/OOO/No.110/2021).


Note

This article received the first prize of oral presentation at Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society (PAIRS), 2020, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.




Publication History

Article published online:
14 June 2022

© 2022. The Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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