High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of benign thyroid nodule is safe and efficacious in patients who continue taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent in the treatment period.

BACKGROUND: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is a promising treatment for benign thyroid nodules but because bleeding complications can occur following any intervention to the thyroid gland, the safety and efficacy of HIFU ablation were evaluated in patients who continued taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent during treatment.

METHODS: From 2015 to 2017, 303 patients who underwent a single-session ablation for a benign thyroid nodule were analyzed. The primary study endpoint was thyroid bleeding, intra-lesional or peri-thyroidal hematoma or neck bruising diagnosed within 4 days of the treatment. Other endpoints included treatment-related complications, extent of nodule shrinkage and symptom score. Nodule volume was estimated by ultrasound. Extent of nodule shrinkage (by volume reduction ratio) (VRR)= [Baseline volume - volume at 6-month]/[Baseline volume] × 100. Obstructive symptom score (by 0- 10 visual analog scale, VAS) was evaluated after treatment.

RESULTS: Twelve patients continued taking an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent while the other 291 patients did not during treatment. No patients in either group suffered active thyroid bleeding, intralesional/pericapsular hematoma or subcutaneous neck bruising in the first 4 days of treatment. Complication rate and the 6-month VRR were comparable between the two groups (0.0% vs. 1.7%, p = 1.000 and 55.96% vs. 61.29%, respectively, p = .073).

CONCLUSIONS: HIFU ablation is a feasible treatment in patients who continue to take an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent during treatment and might be preferable in patients who continuously require an anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agent for one reason or another during treatment.