Growth rates of malignant and benign thyroid nodules in an ultrasound follow-up study: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Thyroid nodules are frequently detected by cervical ultrasound examinations. In follow-up studies, malignant as well as benign nodules may exhibit an increase in size. The objective of our investigation was to test whether histologically determined malignant and benign thyroid nodules show differences in growth rates above a defined significance level. Methods A retrospective ultrasound cohort follow-up study from 4 to 132 months included 26 patients with differentiated carcinomas and 26 patients with adenomas of the thyroid gland. Significance levels were determined by intra- and interobserver variations of volumetric measurements in 25 individuals. Results Intra- and interobserver volumetric measurements were highly correlated (r = 0.99 and r = 0.98, respectively), with variations of 28 and 40%, respectively. The growth rates of malignant and benign nodules did not show differences with respect to two sonographic measurements (d = − 0.04, 95%CI(P): 0.41–0.85, P = 0.83). Using shorter increments and multiple measurements, growth rates of malignant nodules revealed significantly higher values (d = 0.16, 95%CI(P): 0.02–0.04, P = 0.039). Conclusions The growth rates of benign and malignant thyroid nodules do not appear to differ using two sonographic volumetric measurements. However, due to temporal changes in cellular proliferation and arrest, malignant nodules may exhibit higher growth rates with multiple assessments and shorter increments.

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Percutaneous laser ablation of benign thyroid nodules: a one year follow-up study

Einstein (São Paulo) ◽

10.31744/einstein_journal/2018ao4279 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Antonio Rahal ◽

Priscila Mina Falsarella ◽

Guilherme Falleiros Mendes ◽

Jairo Tabacow Hidal ◽

Danielle Macellaro Andreoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laser Ablation ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

One Year ◽

Percutaneous Laser Ablation ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid

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A retrospective 5-year follow-up study on the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules

Endocrine Abstracts ◽

10.1530/endoabs.70.aep986 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Zuolo ◽

Fabiola Giudici ◽

Cavallaro Marco ◽

Veronica Calabrò ◽

Fabris Bruno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid

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HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER PERCUTANEOUS RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION OF COLD, SOLID, BENIGN THYROID NODULES: A 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY IN 40 PATIENTS

Endocrine Practice ◽

10.4158/ep15676.or ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 887-896 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Roberto Valcavi ◽

Petros Tsamatropoulos

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid

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Benign Aspirates on Follow-Up FNA May Be Enough in Patients with Initial Atypia of Undetermined Significance/Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2014/354612 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ga Ram Kim ◽

Jung Hyun Yoon ◽

Eun-Kyung Kim ◽

Hee Jung Moon ◽

Jin Young Kwak

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Surgical Excision ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Risk Of Malignancy ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid ◽

Undetermined Significance

Background.Management of thyroid nodules with benign aspirates following atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is not well established. We reviewed the risk of malignancy and the role of ultrasound (US) features among thyroid nodules with benign results following initial AUS/FLUS diagnoses.Methods.From December 2009 to February 2011, a total of 114 nodules in 114 patients diagnosed as benign on follow-up fine-needle aspiration (FNA) after AUS/FLUS results were included in our study. Eight among 114 nodules were confirmed pathologically and 106 were clinically observed by a follow-up FNA or US. Suspicious US features were defined as markedly hypoechogenicity, irregular or microlobulated margin, presence of microcalcifications, and taller than wide shape.Results.There were 110 (96.5%) benign nodules and 4 (3.5%) malignant nodules. Two (4.8%) among 42 nodules without suspicious US features and 2 (2.8%) out of 72 nodules with suspicious US features were confirmed as malignancy, but there were no significant associations between the malignancy rate and US features (P=0.625).Conclusion.Clinical follow-up instead of surgical excision or continuous repeat FNA may be enough for benign thyroid nodules after AUS/FLUS. The role of US features might be insignificant in the management of these nodules.

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Comparative efficacy of different ultrasound-guided ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0243864

Author(s):

Linye He ◽

Wanjun Zhao ◽

Zijing Xia ◽

Anping Su ◽

Zhihui Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Volume Change ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Percutaneous Ablation ◽

Score Change ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid

Background Percutaneous ablation is currently deemed an additionally treatment option for benign thyroid nodules in the world, but possibly different effect among the ablation modalities is not clear. So we aim to evaluate the efficacy and complications of thermal/chemical ablation by network meta-analysis. Materials and methods In the network meta-analysis, PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1980 to 2020. Studies of adults with thyroid benign nodules under percutaneous ablation therapy were included. Percentage mean volume change, symptom score change, cosmetic score change and complications were evaluated by network meta-analysis. Results In the network meta-analysis, Radiofrequency Ablation(RFA) with 2 treatment sessions group was associated with the highest reduction for the mean volume change during 6-month follow-up (MD = 79.09 and 95% CrI:48.23–89.94). There is no significant difference in the incidence of complications. Subgroup analysis showed that 2 sessions of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) ranks the highest probability (surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values 77.9) of being the most efficacious treatment for solid or predominantly solid benign nodules. Ethanol ablation (EA) ranked first (SUCRA value 81.1) in the treatment for cyst or predominantly cyst benign nodules. Conclusion RFA appears to be superior to other US-guided percutaneous ablation in reducing benign thyroid nodule volume during short- and long-term follow-up. In the subgroup analysis, RFA with 2 treatment sessions showed the most significant effectiveness for solid benign thyroid nodules and EA showed more effectiveness to decrease the volume of cyst benign thyroid nodules.

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Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: The Correlation Between Ultrasound Nodule Characteristics and Results

Surgical Innovation ◽

10.1177/1553350620913134 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 155335062091313

Author(s):

Francesco Feroci ◽

Tommaso Guagni ◽

Angela Coppola ◽

Davina Perini ◽

Barbara Conforti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Ablation ◽

Thyroid Nodules ◽

Reduction Rate ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Initial Size ◽

Benign Nodules ◽

Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽

Radiofrequency Thermoablation ◽

Benign Thyroid

Background. The aim of this observational study was to investigate for which nodules a better response to radiofrequency thermoablation (RFA) for nonfunctioning benign thyroid nodules is likely. Methods. Aesthetic score, compressive score, and volume of 32 benign nodules from 32 patients were registered during follow-up at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results. A volume reduction rate (VRR) of 72.56% at 12 months after the procedure ( P = .009) was registered. A significant ( P < .001) improvement in the compressive and aesthetic scores was observed. Nodules with a baseline volume <20 mL had VRRs at 3 and 6 months that were significantly greater than those with volume >20 mL ( P = .037). Conclusions. RFA was shown to be a safe and effective procedure for the management of benign thyroid nodules and that there is a correlation between the initial size of the nodule and the response to treatment.

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