Complications after thermal ablation for thyroid nodules across countries

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Thermal ablation is a recognized treatment for thyroid nodules.
• The full spectrum of complications and their incidence rates require further elucidation.
• Regional variations in complication profiles are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the complications of thyroid nodule thermal ablation.
• To compare local complication data with international findings.
• To identify potential regional differences in complication types and incidence.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 536 patients undergoing thermal ablation at a single institution.
• Systematic literature review of PubMed for studies on thyroid nodule thermal ablation complications (2004-2024).
• Comparative analysis of complication incidence and types between local and international cohorts.

Main Results:

• Local incidence of complications was 10.82%, with pain, edema, voice changes, hematoma, and vascular reactions being most common.
• International studies reported an average incidence of 12.61%, with pain, vocal changes, edema, hematoma, and fever as top complications.
• Overall incidence rates were comparable (P ≥ 0.05), but specific complications (tracheal injury, vasovagal reaction, dyspnea, scarring, infection, fever) showed significant regional differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The overall incidence of thermal ablation complications for thyroid nodules is consistent across different countries.
• Significant regional variations exist in the types and proportions of specific complications encountered.