A long-term retrospective study of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of thyroid benign solid nodules

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the clinical outcomes and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for treating thyroid benign solid nodules during a three-year follow-up. Methods: A total of 53 patients with thyroid benign solid nodules with the largest diameter exceeding 2 cm were treated with US-guided MWA between January 2015 and December 2017. Nodule volume, the cosmetic score, and the symptom scores were evaluated before ablation and 1, 2, and 3 years after the operation. The characteristics of MWA and complications were also evaluated. Results: The thyroid nodule volume at each time point after ablation was significantly smaller than that before ablation (p