Two-year clinical outcomes of microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules: results from a multicenter study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the therapeutic potential, safety profile, and clinical impact of microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTN) using a new percutaneous ultrasound-guided technique called fluid-motion. Design: Multicenter retrospective study. Methods: A total of 291 patients diagnosed with BTN were eligible for MWA from April 2021 to March 2024 in Macerata and Peschiera del Garda Hospitals and were evaluated for the study, 256 of these patients had the follow-up of at least 12 months and were included in the study. Data were collected at baseline, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after MWA. Results: Sixty (23%) patients were men and 196 (77%) women, the average age was 58.15 ± 13.62 years. Volume reduction rate (VRR) significantly increased from 47% at 1-month post-procedure to 60%, 71%, and 71%, at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P < .001). Clinical response, in particular, compressive and aesthetic scores were significantly lower at each follow-up than baseline values (P < .001). TSH and FT4 did not change significantly at each follow-up. Post-procedural complications occurred in 21 (7%) patients, were mild–moderate and resolved in a few days. A subgroup of 86 patients had a follow-up at 24 months after MWA. They also showed a decrease of nodule volume from 14.54 ± 12.64 to 5.48 ± 4.51 at 24 months (P < .001); whereas VRR increased from 50% at 1 month to 66% at 24 months (P < .001). Conclusions: BTN treatment using the newly developed MWA technique was safe and effective in reducing symptoms and improving cosmetic appearance.