Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Ablation for Autonomous Hyperfunctioning Thyroid Nodule in a Child

Microwave ablation (MWA) can be used to treat autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. The authors performed ultrasound-guided microwave ablation on a child with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule who was unwilling to undergo surgery. The patient was a 12-y-old girl with anxiety, weakness, tremors, palpitations, heat intolerance and weight loss. Since I¹³¹ treatment is unsuitable for pediatric patients, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation was performed. Postoperatively, her symptoms improved and she gained weight. Thyroid hormone levels normalized within a month, and the neck mass shrank. Follow-up at 9 mo showed the nodule gradually shrinking. Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. Future studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes.