Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36221276›Full record

ArticleGland surgery2022

Radiofrequency ablation as a novel modality in the USA for treating toxic thyroid nodules: case series and literature review.

Emad Kandil, Mahmoud Omar, Abdallah S Attia, Areej Shihabi, Mohammad Shaear, Tyler Metz, Peter P Issa, Jonathon O Russell, Ralph P Tufano

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Gland surgery, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Association of BRAFInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2022
    Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Emad KandilDepartment of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Mahmoud OmarDepartment of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Abdallah S AttiaDepartment of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Areej ShihabiDepartment of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Mohammad ShaearDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Tyler MetzDepartment of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Peter P IssaLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Jonathon O RussellDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Ralph P TufanoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely accepted as a treatment for non-functioning benign thyroid nodules, mainly to reduce compressive symptoms. In addition to potential compressive symptoms, autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) can cause palpitations, weight loss, diarrhea, increased appetite, flushing, irritability, tiredness, poor sleep, and long-term cardiovascular and musculoskeletal consequences. Currently, there are no United States based RFA practice guidelines for the treatment of AFTNs. However, several reports from Asia and Europe have described the resolution of hyperthyroidism secondary to AFTNs with RFA. Case Description: Three patients with toxic thyroid nodules presented with symptomatic hyperthyroidism, suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and increased uptake on nuclear medicine thyroid scan. These patients were treated with RFA. At 3 months following ablation, TSH normalized to 2.09, 1.91, and 1.34 mIU/mL respectively. However, temporary hypothyroidism was encountered at 1 month following ablation. All patients discontinued their antithyroid medications following ablation. Nodules exhibited significant volume reductions of 38%, 32%, and 54% from the baseline at 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: RFA potentiates as a safe and effective treatment of toxic thyroid nodules. Though it carries a risk of temporary hypothyroidism following ablation, long-term consequences appear to be minimal. Future study with larger sample size and longer follow-up are encouraged to identify factors predicting response.

Indexed as

case reporthyperthyroidismRadiofrequency ablation (RFA)toxic thyroid nodule

Identifiers

PMID36221276
PMCPMC9547704

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.