Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation (TA) for the treatment of Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 154 patients with Bethesda III (n = 82) and IV (n = 72) thyroid nodules treated with microwave or radiofreque...

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Main Authors: Song Li, Ying Wei, Zhen-long Zhao, Li-li Peng, Yan Li, Ming-an Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572535/full
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author Song Li
Ying Wei
Zhen-long Zhao
Li-li Peng
Yan Li
Ming-an Yu
author_facet Song Li
Ying Wei
Zhen-long Zhao
Li-li Peng
Yan Li
Ming-an Yu
author_sort Song Li
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation (TA) for the treatment of Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 154 patients with Bethesda III (n = 82) and IV (n = 72) thyroid nodules treated with microwave or radiofrequency ablation between December 2016 and October 2023. Patients were followed for a median of 19 months. Outcomes assessed included nodule volume reduction rate (VRR), complications, and disease progression.ResultsThe median VRR at 12 months was 97% (Bethesda III) and 88% (Bethesda IV), increasing to 100% and 96% by 36 months, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. No major complications were encountered, minor complications occurred in 4 patients (4/154, 2.6%), including 3 cases of transient hoarseness and 1 case of neck pain, resolving spontaneously. Disease progression (3/154, 1.9%) occurred in both groups, with new tumor in each group, no other disease progression occurred.ConclusionThermal ablation could be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative to surgery for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules, achieving substantial volume reduction with minimal complications.
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spelling doaj-art-37c1a399417e4b52972a9d4e7fb3898f2025-08-20T01:48:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15725351572535Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective studySong LiYing WeiZhen-long ZhaoLi-li PengYan LiMing-an YuObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation (TA) for the treatment of Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 154 patients with Bethesda III (n = 82) and IV (n = 72) thyroid nodules treated with microwave or radiofrequency ablation between December 2016 and October 2023. Patients were followed for a median of 19 months. Outcomes assessed included nodule volume reduction rate (VRR), complications, and disease progression.ResultsThe median VRR at 12 months was 97% (Bethesda III) and 88% (Bethesda IV), increasing to 100% and 96% by 36 months, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. No major complications were encountered, minor complications occurred in 4 patients (4/154, 2.6%), including 3 cases of transient hoarseness and 1 case of neck pain, resolving spontaneously. Disease progression (3/154, 1.9%) occurred in both groups, with new tumor in each group, no other disease progression occurred.ConclusionThermal ablation could be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative to surgery for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules, achieving substantial volume reduction with minimal complications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572535/fullthyroid nodulethermal ablationBethesda classificationultrasonographyminimally invasive
spellingShingle Song Li
Ying Wei
Zhen-long Zhao
Li-li Peng
Yan Li
Ming-an Yu
Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
Frontiers in Endocrinology
thyroid nodule
thermal ablation
Bethesda classification
ultrasonography
minimally invasive
title Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
title_full Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
title_fullStr Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
title_short Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules: a retrospective study
title_sort efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for bethesda iii iv thyroid nodules a retrospective study
topic thyroid nodule
thermal ablation
Bethesda classification
ultrasonography
minimally invasive
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572535/full
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