Cryoablation of goiter irrespective of thyroid profile

Abstract Background Thyroid nodules are extremely common. By age 60, about one-half of all people have a thyroid nodule. Cryoablation is used in a variety of clinical applications, using hollow needles (cryoprobes). Cryoprobes are inserted into or placed adjacent to diseased tissue which is desired to be ablated. Aim of work To evaluate the effect of Cryoablation on the size & function of thyroid noduleWhich may replace the need for surgery or radiotherapy. Patients & methods This is an interventional therapeutic study, conducted in Ain-Shams University hospitals; endocrinology clinic. Our study sample included 80 subjects, age between 20 & 60, having thyroid nodule diagnosed by ultrasound. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 included 40 subjects “control group” who were not subjected to cryoablation. Group 2 included 40 subjects “cases” upon which cryoablation was done. Neck ultrasound was done for subjects & they were sampled for their TSH, free T4 & free T3 levels at start and after 3 & 6 months. Results There was high statistical significant difference between group 1 & group 2 regarding nodule size after 6 months. Group 1 showed mean nodule size (0.89 cm ± 0.25 SD) while group 2 showed (0.62 cm ± 0.35 SD),(p-value<0.001). Non-thyrotoxic cases were 6 times more liable to show nodule size reduction, from 0-6 months, more than thyrotoxiccases, which shows thyrotoxicosis as a factor against nodule size reduction in significant statistical relation. Females were more liable than males, to show nodule size reduction. There was no statistical significant difference between cases & controls regarding TSH, free T4 nor free T3 values, before study, at 3 months nor after 6 months. Conclusions Cryoablation causes nodule size reduction, especially after 2nd session. Cryoablation doesn’t affect thyroid function tests, all through our study.