Primary approach for ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation combined with hormone suppression therapy for solitary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods A total of 25 patients with 25 nodules pathologically proven solitary papillary carcinoma 3.7 to 10.0 mm in diameter without clinically apparent lymph node,or distant metastasis were treated with microwave ablation equipement.Microwaves were emitted at 40 W for 200 -400 seconds and prolonged as necessary to attain confluent ablation zones.All patients were treated with both extended ablation therapy and levothyroxine that maintain TSH levels below 0.1 mU/L.Thyroid function test,nodule volume and clinical symptom were evaluated before ablation and during 1 ,3,6,9 and 12 months after treatment according to changes in tumor size,adverse reactions,complications and metastatic tumors.Three out of 25 patients received surgical treatment and the other 22 patients were followed up with routine ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound.Results All 25 tumors were completely ablated by using mutiple plane fixed melting method and no serious or permanent complications occurred.No recurrence at the treatment site or distant metastase were detected,with a mean follow-up of 1 8 months.Histological examination showed no evidence of a tumor in the treated lesions in the 3 surgery patients.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation appears to be a safe and effective technique for the therapy of solitary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.