Ultrasonography 2018;37(2):89-97

doi:10.14366/usg.17057

The efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of benign thyroid nodules.

Brian H LANG 1 ; Arnold L H WU

Affiliations

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Keywords

Ultrasonography, interventional; High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation; Hyperthermia, induced; Goiter, nodular; Ablation techniques

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising form of thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules, but evidence supporting its use is scarce. The present review evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-session HIFU treatment of benign thyroid nodules. As reported in the literature, the extent of nodule shrinkage following treatment ranged from 48.8% to 68.8%. Like other forms of ablation, the shrinkage rate was greatest in the first 3-6 months, and the best responders were patients with small (≤10 mL) nodules. Complications were uncommon, but temporary vocal cord palsy occurred in 3%-4% of patients, and was related to the distance between the HIFU beam and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Despite being safe and efficacious, a larger-scale prospective trial is required.