Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Complications encountered in ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers.

European Radiology 2017 August
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the complication rates and describe the possible complications of ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules (BTN) and recurrent thyroid cancers (RTC), and to compare the complication rates between BTN and RTC.

METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 875 patients who underwent RFA for BTN (746 patients; 83.5%) or RTC (129 patients; 14.7%). Medical records were reviewed for all types of complications occurring during and after the RFA procedure. The baseline characteristics and the complication rates of BTN and RTC were compared.

RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 3.5% (31/875), and the major complication rate was 1.6% (14/875). The major complication rate of RTC was significantly higher than that of BTN (5.4% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.002), while there were no significant differences in the minor complications rate. New complications, such as Horner syndrome, spinal accessory nerve injury, and complications due to lidocaine toxicity, were also revealed.

CONCLUSIONS: Various complications of RFA may occur in both BTN and RTC, although the complication rate is low. To understand the broad spectrum of complications and minimise the complications and sequela, the suggested technical tips and cervical anatomy are essential.

KEY POINTS: • The overall complication rate was 3.5% (31/875). • The major complication rate was 1.6% (14/875). • The major complication rate of RTC was significantly higher than BTN. • There were only four patients showing persistent symptoms (0.5%). • Unreported new complications were also demonstrated.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app