OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous laser thermal ablation (LTA) has been applied in several @entity5 . In this study we evaluated the safety and long-term efficacy of LTA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. DESIGN AND @entity1 : Seven @entity1 with autonomous hyperfunctioning @entity9384 (group A) and five @entity1 with @entity8170 (group B) were treated with LTA. Up to three needles were positioned centrally in the @entity9384 and laser fiber was placed in the lumen of the needle. Laser illumination was performed reaching a maximal energy deposition of 1800 J per fiber. MEASUREMENTS: Thyroid nodule volume, endocrinologic, and clinical evaluation were performed at baseline, 3, and 12 months after the treatment. Scintigraphy was performed at diagnosis and 12 months after the first session in group A. RESULTS: In group A, mean thyroid volume decreased from 3.15 +/- 1.26 mL to 0.83 +/- 0.49 mL (p < 0.001) after 12 months. The treatment induced disappearance of clinical signs and symptoms related to @entity1378 ; normalization of free @entity1954 (FT(3)), free @entity1955 (FT(4)), and @entity7287 (TSH) serum levels and recovery of extranodular uptake at scintiscan. In group B, mean thyroid volume decreased from 11.14 +/- 4.99 mL to 3.73 +/- 1.47 mL (p < 0.01) after 12 months. Pressure symptoms in the neck, difficulty in swallowing and @entity8276 improved in all @entity1 . The treatment was well tolerated in both groups of @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: LTA appears to be a valid and safe alternative approach in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Ultrasound-guided laser thermal ablation in the treatment of XXXX and @entity8170 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'PATIENTS'] @entity8170 :: ('MESH:D006044', 'Disease') :: ['compressive nodular goiter'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumors'] @entity1955 :: ('MESH:D013974', 'Chemical') :: ['thyroxine'] @entity1954 :: ('MESH:D014284', 'Chemical') :: ['triiodothyronine'] @entity1378 :: ('MESH:D006980', 'Disease') :: ['hyperthyroidism'] @entity7287 :: ('MESH:D013972', 'Chemical') :: ['thyrotropin'] @entity8276 :: ('MESH:D014133', 'Disease') :: ['tracheal displacement'] @entity9384 :: ('MESH:D016606', 'Disease') :: ['thyroid nodule']
@entity9384 :: (MESH:D016606,Disease) :: ['autonomous hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules']
