ArticleEuropean radiology2021
Determining an energy threshold for optimal volume reduction of benign thyroid nodules treated by radiofrequency ablation.
Article in European radiology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation and Microwave Ablation in the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Korean journal of radiology · 2024Pooled it
- Long-Term Results of Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: State of the Art and Future Perspectives-A Systematic Review.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2021Pooled it
- Efficacy, safety and predictors of response to minimally invasive treatments of the thyroid: a prospective study.Endocrine · 2026Article
- Radiofrequency Ablation of Low-Risk Primary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Clinic Setting.Head & neck · 2026Article
- Factors associated with early complete resolution after radiofrequency ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a dual-center retrospective study.European radiology · 2026Article
- Radiomic Analysis as a Powerful Tool for Cytological Images of Benign Thyroid Nodules Treated by Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Pre-ablation derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with time to complete disappearance after thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules: a retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Article
- Improving radiofrequency ablation outcomes in large thyroid nodules: superiority of adjustable tip needles.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Observational
- Predictors of retreatment after radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: role of pre-treatment growth rate and viable volume.European thyroid journal · 2026Article
- Predictors of early complete nodule shrinkage in symptomatic benign thyroid nodules treated with radiofrequency ablation with or without sclerotherapy: a retrospective study.European radiology · 2025Article
- Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: Preliminary Outcomes of an Endocrine Surgery Unit.Cureus · 2025Article
- Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules (RATED Study)-Analysis of a Learning Curve and Predictors of Success.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2025Observational
- Comparative outcomes of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation vs. microwave ablation for patients with T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.European radiology · 2025Article
- Predictors of Initial Response of Thyroid Nodules Treated With RFA, a Multi-Endocrinology Centers Experience From the United States.Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2025Article
- Analysis and prediction of ablation zone absorption in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma undergoing microwave ablation.Endocrine · 2025Article
- Clinical study on the impact of microwave ablation energy on the treatment efficacy of benign thyroid nodules.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Article
- Adjustable-tip needles versus fixed-tip needles in radiofrequency ablation of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules: a single-center Italian experience.Journal of ultrasound · 2024Observational
- Model-Optimizing Radiofrequency Parameters of 3D Finite Element Analysis for Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Radiofrequency ablation for autonomously functioning nodules as treatment for hyperthyroidism: subgroup analysis of toxic adenoma and multinodular goitre and predictors for treatment success.European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2023Article
- Analysis and prediction of regrowth in benign thyroid nodules undergoing radiofrequency ablation: a retrospective study with a 5-year follow-up.European radiology · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective in reducing the volume of benign thyroid nodules. However, what parameters can influence the response to RFA is still unclear. The present study aimed to (1) investigate which ultrasound and technical parameters are potential determinants of the volumetric reduction; (2) develop a dose-response model, and (3) analyze the effects of RFA on ultrasound features.
methodsIn this retrospective study, three institutions treated patients with benign thyroid nodules according to the same protocol. The technical parameters were power and energy. The 1-year volume reduction ratio (VRR) was the reference standard of the response. The correlations of different parameters with VRR were analyzed and the association between several parameters and a VRR above 50% studied by uni- and multivariate analyses. The probit regression estimated the probability to achieve an effective response.
resultsOne hundred fifteen patients were enrolled. The median power was 50 W and median total delivered energy 27,531 J. At 1-year follow-up, the median VRR was 64.0% and 87 (75.7%) nodules showed a VRR above 50%. Among all parameters, only baseline volume, total energy, and energy per volume were independently associated to a VRR > 50% (p = 0.001, p = 0.0178, p < 0.001 respectively). The probit regression analysis demonstrated that delivering 756 J/ml and 2670 J/ml gave a probability of VRR > 50% in 50% and 99% of patients, respectively.
conclusionsConsidering the baseline nodular volume and delivering the adequate energy per volume allow optimizing technical and clinical success. KEY POINTS: • The effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation in treating benign thyroid nodules is negatively correlated to the volume of the nodule and positively correlated to the energy delivered per volume. • When planning the treatment, the total energy to deliver can be calculated by using a simple formula: nodular volume × 2670 J.
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