Thermal ablation (TA) procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation, are used for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Short-term studies (<2 years) have demonstrated that TA is an effective and safe procedure to improve cosmetic or symptomatic problems. However, studies including a longer follow-up period show that treated thyroid nodules can increase in size after 2 to 3 years. Several studies suggest that this results from regrowth at the undertreated nodule margins. Here, we review current data on regrowth after TA and describe factors related to it and possible approaches to prevent it.
Catheter Ablation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Laser Therapy ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the arterial phase of dynamic spiral CT in the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma compared with the late phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two phase spiral CT images of seventeen patients with pathologically proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas were compared retrospectively. CT scans were performed with 5mm collimation at 1:1 pitch table speed. Images of arterial and late phases were obtained at 35 seconds and 180 seconds after initiation of administration of 100mL of contrast material(3mL/sec), respectively. Images of the arterial phase were compared with those of the late phase. RESULTS: Images of the arterial phase showed sufficient contrast between the tumor and adjacent pancreatic parenchyma in 12 cases, insufficient in four cases, and no significant contrast in one case. Images of the late phase showed sufficient contrast in five cases, insufficient in five cases, and no significant contrast in seven cases. Images of the arterial phase was superior to that of the late phase in 12 patients(70.6%). In six of the 12 patients, only the images of the arterial phase showed contrast between the tumor and the adjacent parenchyma. The images of late phase showed only one case of three metastasis detected on the images of the arterial phase. CONCLUSION: The arterial phase of spiral CT is superior to the late phase that is comparable with conventional CT in the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed