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Laser thermocoagulation reduces the size of benign thyroid nodules
The background of the study. This study was done
to compare the effects of laser-induced thermocoagulation and no
treatment on nodule size and symptoms in patients of benign thyroid
nodules.
How the study was done. Thirty women with a solitary, solid, benign thyroid nodule were randomly assigned to one laser-thermocoagulation procedure or no treatment and were followed for six months. All the women had concerns about the appearance of their neck or symptoms of compression, but had declined surgery.
The procedure was carried out by inserting a laser fiber into the nodule under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance. The treatment resulted in formation of an irregular enlarging echogenic area within the nodule. The women rated the cosmetic and pressure symptoms, and nodule volume was measured by ultrasonography at base line and at 1 and 6 months.
The results of the study. The age of the women, the frequency of pressure and cosmetic symptoms, and nodule volume were similar in the laser-treatment and observation groups. In the laser-treatment group, the median nodule volume decreased from 8.2 to 6.1 ml at one month and to 4.8 ml at six months (median decrease, 44 percent), whereas the volume increased from 7.5 to 9.0 ml at six months (median increase, 9 percent) in the observation group.
Seven women in the laser-treatment group had mild to moderate neck pain or tenderness for up to a week after treatment. Thirteen women in the laser-treatment group had some symptoms before treatment, and 10 had marked relief at six months; cosmetic symptoms also decreased. None of these symptoms changed in the observation group.
The conclusions of the study. Ultrasound-guided laser thermocoagulation decreases the symptoms and the size of thyroid nodules and is well tolerated.
The original article. Dossing H, Bennedbaek FN, Hegedus L. Effect of ultrasound-guided interstitial laser photocoagulation on benign solitary cold thyroid nodules—a randomised study. Eur J Endocrinol 2005;152:341-5.
Next Article: Radioactive iodine
therapy in patients with hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules can
result in hypothyroidism
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | July 2005 Thyroid Digest |
