Laser ablation is more effective for spongiform than solid thyroid nodules. A 4-year retrospective follow-up study

Figures & data

Figure 1. Nodule volume in 56 patients treated with percutaneous laser ablation for benign thyroid nodule during the 4-year follow-up.

Table 1. Nodule volume and laboratory test in 56 patients treated with laser ablation for benign thyroid nodule during the 4-year follow-up.

	Baseline	3 months	6 months	12 months	24 months	36 months	48 months	p
Volume (mL)	15.7 ± 11.7	9.1 ± 7.9	7.4 ± 6.6	6.9 ± 6.5	6.2 ± 5.6	6.2 ± 5.6	6.5 ± 5.7	.01 >p
Volume reduction (%)		41.3	53.4	57.1	53.5	57.9	55.5	.01 >p
TSH (mIU/L)	1.31 ± 0.9	1.5 ± 1.0	1.2 ± 0.7	1.5 ± 0.9	1.3 ± 0.7	1.3 ± 0.7	1.3 ± 0.9	ns
FT3 (pg/mL)	3.04 ± 0.5	3.0 ± 0.4	3.2 ± 0.6	3.0 ± 0.7	3.2 ± 0.8	3.0 ± 0.7	2.9 ± 0.6	ns
FT4 (ng/dL)	1.09 ± 0.2	1.1 ± 0.2	1.1 ± 0.2	1.1 ± 0.2	1.5 ± 1.7	1.3 ± 1.3	1.3 ± 1.4	ns
Thyroglobulin (ng/mL)	53.1 ± 65.5	37.6 ± 55.7	55.1 ± 91.6	62.2 ± 92.3	41.5 ± 44	69 ± 190.4	44.5 ± 50.8	ns

Figure 2. (A) Spongiform nodule (21 mm ×17 mm ×23.5 mm, volume: 4.34 mL) before laser ablation; (B) 4 years after laser ablation (7.6 mm ×8.0 mm ×7.8 mm, volume: 0.25 mL).

Figure 3. (A) Solid nodule (23.5 mm ×19.5 mm ×31 mm, volume: 7.4 mL) before laser ablation; (B) 4 years after laser ablation (25 mm ×19 mm ×31 mm, volume: 7.9 mL).

Figure 4. The volume reduction of solid (n = 26) and spongiform (n = 30) nodules over 4-year follow-up.