Local thyroid tissue ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound: Effects on thyroid function and first human feasibility study with hot and cold thyroid nodules

Abstract

HIFU is a safe and effective method to treat benign, solid, complex, hot and cold thyroid nodules preserving thyroid function. Further developments of the system are needed to gain suitability for daily use.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for thyroid nodule ablation: the evidence to date

“…9,23,27,32 A case report on a single hyperfunctioning nodule demonstrated that 2 weeks after HIFU treatment, the nodule appearance was cystic at US. 33 Thyroid function normalized after 3 months and was maintained during the follow-up to 18 months.…”

“…The treatment did not affect thyroid function and no serious immune reaction was observed, despite the significant rise in serum Tg level 1 day after the ablation. 27,35 Patients received either local anesthesia Schematic presentation of all sites intended to treatment; excluded sites are red in color, the sites that will be treated are white in color, and after they receive the pulse, they become green. (C) visualization of hyperechoic mark (white spot) on the point of the treatment cone after the first sonication.…”

“…9,[24][25][26][27] The device is designed to provide HIFU treatment for superficial structures, notably thyroid nodules, parathyroid glands, or breast fibroadenomas. 28 As described previously, the VTU incorporates both the imaging transducer (7.5 MHz, 128 elements, linear array) and the HIFU transducer (3 MHz, single element, 60 mm/ diameter) for delivering energy to the target.…”

Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Symptomatic Thyroid Nodules: Initial Experience

“…The percutaneous ethanol injection shows excellent results in cystic nodule volume reduction but poor results in solid nodules [14]. High intensity focused ultrasound is the only non-invasive technique however it works only in small nodules [15]. Benign nodules do not take up enough iodine for radioiodine therapy, so surgery is recommended.…”

“…This feasibility study therefore focused on the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, where RFA can offer an alternative to surgery. Alternative treatment options for benign thyroid nodules include percutaneous ethanol injections (PEI) [14], high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) [15] as well as laser, microwave or radiofrequency ablation [2,5,16]. The percutaneous ethanol injection shows excellent results in cystic nodule volume reduction but poor results in solid nodules [14].…”