MedPath

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation in Compressive Thyroid Nodules

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Thyroid Nodule
Interventions
Procedure: Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation
Registration Number
NCT01649206
Lead Sponsor
Federico II University
Brief Summary

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA) was reported as an effective tool for the management of thyroid nodules (TNs). This study aims to validate RTA as a valid approach for patients with compressive TNs for whom surgery is contraindicated or refused. Two groups of subjects with TNs (one group to treat with RTA and a matched untreated control group) will be evaluated in term of TN volume, thyroid hormones and clinical symptoms.

Detailed Description

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are very common in the general population, with a prevalence of about 50% in subjects older than 60 years undergoing neck ultrasound examination.

The great majority of TNs are benign, but they can be responsible for pressure symptoms in the neck and result in discomfort and decreased quality of life. Large compressive TNs may result in life-threatening conditions because of the potential acute onset of respiratory crisis. Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA) is a minimally invasive procedure which has been firstly develop to treat patients with liver cancer and has been then used to treat both malignant and benign tumor nodules in many organs. RTA also represents a promising new approach for the management of TNs.The current prospective comparative study investigated the long-term effectiveness of RTA in patients with both toxic and non-toxic compressive TNs.

Forty consecutive patients with TNs with pressure symptoms were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were randomised as follows: 20 patients were treated with a single RTA session (group A) and 20 patients did not receive any treatment and were only followed-up (group B).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • age > 18 years;
  • benign thyroid nodules (TYR 2)
  • solid or predominantly solid (colloid component < 30%) large (> 4.0 mL) thyroid nodules
  • refusal and/or inefficacy of surgery and/or radioiodine therapy.
Exclusion Criteria
  • pregnancy
  • malignant or suspicious thyroid nodules.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Group A: RTAPercutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal AblationPercutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation (RTA).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in TN volume12 months

Evaluation of TN volume by using Ultrasonography.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
SafetyAt 1, 3, 6, 12 months after baseline.

Assessment of local impairment (pain, oedema, skin damage). Assessment of thyroid dysfunction by measuring serum concentrations of fT3, fT4, TSH.

Assessment of thyroid autoimmunity (anti-Thyroglobulin and anti-Thyroperoxidase antibodies).

Change from baseline in TN volume6 months

Evaluation of TN volume by using Ultrasonography

Efficacy on TN-related neck symptomsFrom time to treatment until 12 months. Time point evaluations at 1, 3, 6, 12 months.

Evaluation of TN-related neck symptoms scored separately as follows: 0 (absent), 1 (moderate), and 2 (severe). The sum of the individual scores generates a final score (SYS score) ranging from 0 to 6.

Efficacy on TN hyperfunctionEfficacy on TN-related neck symptoms Time Frame: (FDAAA) From time to treatment until 12 months. Time point evaluations at 1, 3, 6, 12 months.

Evaluation of TN hyperfunction by measuring serum concentrations of TSH, free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3) in patients with toxic TNs.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

"Federico II" University of Naples, Department of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology

🇮🇹

Naples, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath