Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules: A retrospective 12-month follow-up study

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in treating benign thyroid nodules (BTN). Clinical data from 135 cases of BTN treated with MWA at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of a hospital, from July 2017 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Nodules were classified into three groups based on initial diameter(Group A (<2.0 cm), Group B (2.0 cm–4.0 cm), and Group C (>4.0 cm)). Maximum diameter, volume, and volume reduction percentage (VRP) were measured pre-ablation and 3, 6, and 12 months post-ablation. Cosmetic scores and complications were recorded. No significant differences in VRP were observed among the three groups at 3 months post-ablation (P < 0.05). However, at 6–12 months, Groups A and C showed substantially higher VRP than Group B (P < 0.01). Cosmetic scores considerably improved in all groups at 12 months post-ablation (P < 0.01). There were no significant changes in complication rates or thyroid function among the groups (P > 0.05). MWA is an effective minimally invasive treatment for BTN, with significant volume reduction and cosmetic improvement observed across all nodule sizes. While smaller nodules (<2 cm) achieved the highest VRP, considerable reduction was also seen in large nodules (>4 cm).