Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To describe the demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes following the first cohort of patients with Bening Thyroid Nodule (BTN) and (Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma) (PTMC) treated with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)in Ecuador.

Methods Single-center, cross-sectional study.

We included adults undergoing RFA for BTN and PTMC between July 2019 and May 2022.

Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare some pre- and post-intervention outcomes.

Results We included 44 patients with 36 BTNs and eight PTMCs.

The median age was 45.80 years (IQR 16–79 years), and most patients had normal thyroid function (72.72%).

The median follow-up time was 7.80 months (IQR1.0-34.0).

Nodules were primarily solid (43.21%) or predominantly solid (56.81%).

The pre-RFA median volume in the benign lesions group was 10.30 ml (IQR 1.86–18.97).

After ablation, the 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month median volumes were 6.90 (IQR 0.48–10.15; p < 0.01) mL, 5.72 (IQR 0.77–7.25; p = 0.045); 0.98 (IQR 0.25–3.64; p < 0.01), and 0.11 (IQR 0.07–11.26; p = 0.026), respectively.

The volume rate reduction was 47.20%, 72.20%, 74.00%, and 96.20% at 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups, respectively.

The pre-RFA median volume in the PTMC group was 0.25 ml (IQR 0.19–0.48).

After ablation, the 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month mean volumes were 0.19 (range 0.12–0.31; p = 0.120) mL, 0.10 (IQR 0.05–0.15; p = 0.13), and 0.01 (IQR 0.005–0.04; p = 0.364), respectively.

Conclusions In this first report from Ecuador, we found that RFA may be a feasible alternative for treating benign and malignant thyroid nodules in the short term.

Long-term data are needed to evaluate oncologic outcomes in PTMC patients.

RFA may be a feasible alternative for the short-term treatment of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules were ablated in a single session, having a significant volume reduction rate and improved cosmetic and symptom scores after RFA.

The study highlights the need for long-term follow-up to assess the oncologic outcomes in PTMC patients who undergo RFA.