Fusion Navigation, B Flow Imaging, and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Thyroid Ablation

Introduction: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been used to characterize lesions in real-time, used specifically in chronic renal failure patients. We studied the efficacy of usage of fusion navigation (ultrasound and CT) and CEUS in thyroid ablation.

Method(s): Forty patients were selected with benign thyroid nodules. Symptoms were neck pain, dysphasia, foreign body sensation, discomfort and cough, cosmetic problems, and thyrotoxicosis in cases of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs). Exclusion criteria were follicular neoplasms, primary thyroid cancers, and pregnant women. All patients underwent CECT neck angiography for the fusion images, in 128 slice CT machines. Fusion Navigation device and CEUS were used in all cases.

Result(s): Reduction of the nodule volume after ablation ranged from 40 to 60% at 1 month and from 50 to 90% at 6 months postablation. The greatest volume reduction is usually observed within the first month after ablation, and further volume reduction is gradually observed thereafter.

Conclusion(s): The usage of contrast ultrasound, B Flow imaging, and Fusion Navigation has augmented the procedure by Intra-op Assessment of Ablation zone and efficacy of Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023