ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Thyroid nodules (TN) are a prevalent pathology that can generate morbidity, in which case the traditional treatment is usually surgery. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment as a therapeutic alternative in the combined clinical, morphological, and functional control of predominantly solid, benign and clinically relevant TNs in patients not subsidiary to surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective, case series study was carried out to assess the efficacy and safety of the use of RFA. According to medical criteria, the selected patients underwent a clinical, ultrasound, and biochemical assessment prior to the procedure and then after the procedure at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and then every 6-12 months according to medical criteria. RESULTS: A total of 100 RFA were performed on 83 patients with 85 TNs of ≥2.5â¯cm with an initial volume (IV) of 21.48⯱â¯15.89â¯ml. After a mean of 1.17 RFA sessions per TN, the volume decreased progressively and significantly (pâ¯<â¯0.01 for all times compared to the initial value), with a mean volume reduction rate (VRR) in relation to the IV of 54.43⯱â¯19.56% at 1-month follow-up; 67.69⯱â¯17% at 3 months; 70.38⯱â¯15.46% at 6 months; 70.67⯱â¯17.27% at 12 months and 70.24⯱â¯17.7% at the last follow-up. 88% of the patients followed up >6 months achieved the combined objective of a volume reduction rate of more than 50% of the VI, thyroid normal function and absence of clinic; and in all of these, it was maintained until the final follow-up date. Acute complications (mostly mild and all transient) were reported in 9 of the 100 RFA performed. CONCLUSION: Our findings validate in our setting the efficacy and safety of RFA in predominantly large and solid TNs, and add undescribed information to position the technique more favourably as a therapeutic alternative.
