Locoregional control of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma by ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation: A prospective study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave (MW) ablation for the control of locally recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (LR-PTC) in patients for whom surgery is not viable. Materials and methods: The inclusion criteria for MW ablation were three or fewer LR-PTCs and no recurrence beyond the neck, with ineligibility or refusal to undergo surgery. MW ablation was carried out using a 16-gauge MW antenna under local anaesthesia. Patients were then followed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment and every 6 months thereafter. Technical success usually meant volume reduction more than 50%. Results: Between October 2010 to March 2013 a total of 17 patients (14 women, 3 men; average age 54.1 years) with 23 LR-PTCs, were treated with MW ablation in our department. All the LR-PTCs were technical successes with the number of treatment sessions for one tumour ranging from 1 to 4 (mean, 2.3 ± 0.9). The mean volume reduction ratio of the LR-PTCs was 1 ± 86%, 47 ± 12%, 70 ± 33%, 91 ± 14% at the 1, 3, 6 and 18 months follow-up visit respectively (all p < 0.05). All treated nodules decreased in size: 30.4% nodules (7/23) had completely disappeared, 52.2% nodules (12/23) remained as small scar-like lesions. One patient experienced transient dysphonia immediately after MW ablation. No other severe and permanent complications occurred. Conclusion: Although with some limitations, our preliminary results are encouraging and show MW ablation may be an alternative treatment option for the control of LR-PTCs in selected patients for whom surgery is not viable.

• Lymph node
• microwave ablation
• papillary thyroid carcinoma
• recurrent thyroid carcinoma
• ultrasound

Declaration of interest

This work was supported by the Shandong Province Science and Technology Development projects (item numbers: 2011YD18028) and the Yantai Science and Technique Plan (item numbers: 2010156). The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.