Effectiveness and outcomes of microwave ablation for solid benign thyroid nodules (>10mL): a retrospective study

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of microwave ablation (MWA) in treating solid benign thyroid nodules (BTNs, >10mL) and to identify factors influencing volume reduction rate (VRR).

This retrospective study included 123 patients with 123 solid BTNs greater than 10 mL in size who underwent ultrasound-guided MWA between March 2019 and May 2024. Conventional ultrasound (US) examinations were performed at 1,3,6,12 months after ablation and annually thereafter. Outcomes measures included VRR, symptom and cosmetic scores, complications, and factors affecting VRR. High-risk surgical and low-risk surgical subgroups were compared.

The median initial volume was 14.59 mL, final VRR reached 80.73% (mean follow-up 28.32 ± 7.91 months), with 91.87% achieving >50% VRR at 12th month. Comparing to pre-ablation, symptom scores significantly decreased from 3.20 ± 2.75 to 0.76 ± 1.15 (p < 0.001), and cosmetic scores from 3.34 ± 0.85 to 1.97 ± 0.84 (p < 0.001) at 12th month post-ablation. The major complication rate was 4.88%, with no cases of permanent sequelae. No significant differences were observed in outcomes between high-risk surgical and low-risk surgical groups (VRR: 68.72% vs 69.96%, p = 0.57, complications: 26.67% vs 18.52%, p = 0.49). Baseline nodule volume showed a significant negative correlation with VRR (β = -0.82, p < 0.001).

MWA is an effective minimally invasive approach with an excellent safety for controlling the volume of solid BTNs greater than 10 mL in size and providing symptomatic relief, and it represents a valuable treatment alternative for patients at high risk of surgery.