Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating thyroid nodules (TNs). METHODS: We retrospectively included the patients who underwent RFA for TNs in our hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Preoperative and postoperative data including age, sex, body mass index, and thyroid hormone levels were collected from each patient. The efficacy of RFA on TNs was analyzed by evaluating the volume reduction (VR) and volume reduction rate (VRR) at postoperative months 1, 3, 6, and 12, respectively. In addition, the efficacy of RFA on nodule composition and postoperative complications was evaluated. Finally, a subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential risks. RESULTS: VR at postoperative month 12 was significantly higher than those at postoperative months 1, 3, and 6, respectively (all P < 0.001). VRR at month 12 was significantly higher than that of months 1, 3, and 6, respectively (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: RFA is an effective option for treating TNs with good safety. VR and VRR showed significant increase after RFA compared with the pretreatment levels.