The clinical value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in thyroid nodule treated with radiofrequency ablation

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in thyroid nodule treated with radiofrequency ablation(RFA).Methods:Seventy-five thyroid nodules(TN) patients(88 nodules) were randomly divided the group A(40 cases,48 nodules) and group B(35 cases,40 nodules).Group A was examined using real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography before and after treatment,and the nodules of incomplete deactivation were treated with RFA in time.Group B was set as control group.The treatment security,clinical symptoms and thyroid function in two groups were observed after treatment.The long-term therapeutic effects between two groups were compared.Results:After treatment with RFA,21 incomplete deactivation nodules in group A were treated in time.No serious complication in 2 groups was identified.The thyroid function indexes in two groups were in normal range after treatment.The difference of complete necrosis rate of nodules between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.01).After 6 and 12 months of treatment,the nodule volume reduction rates in group A and group B were 83.7%,96.2% and 56.5%,68.3%,respectively.At the same time,the nodule volume reduction rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B(P<0.01).Conclusions:The real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in thyroid nodule treated with RFA can guide the positioning and supplementary ablation therapy,effectively improve the complete inactivation rate and long-term efficacy,which has better clinical values.