Journal Article

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

Kim, Cherry, Lee, Jeong Hyun, Kim, Won Bae, Choi, Young Jun, Baek, Jung Hwan, Sung, Tae Yon

2017

Overview

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.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Ablation / Accessories / Accessory nerve / Adult / Aged / Anatomy / Anesthetics, Local - adverse effects / Benign / Catheter Ablation - adverse effects / Catheter Ablation - methods / Complications / Diagnostic Radiology / Female / Head and Neck / Humans / Imaging / Innervation / Internal Medicine / Interventional Radiology / Lidocaine / Lidocaine - adverse effects / Male / Medical records / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - surgery / Neuroradiology / Nodules / Patients / Postoperative Complications - etiology / Radio frequency / Radiofrequency ablation / Radiology / Retrospective Studies / Sympathetic nervous system / Thyroid / Thyroid cancer / Thyroid gland / Thyroid Neoplasms - surgery / Thyroid Nodule - diagnostic imaging / Thyroid Nodule - surgery / Tips / Toxicity / Treatment Outcome / Ultrasonography, Interventional / Ultrasound