EP 207 Clinical Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation in Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules
Ferdous Alam, Syeda Mehbuba Joty, Md Aminul Islam Joarder, Md Ibrahim Siddique, Noshin Saiyara, Faridul IslamAbstract
Aim
To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety profile of RFA among Bangladeshi patients with benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Methods
This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Enam Medical College and Hospital and Popular Diagnostic Center Ltd., Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2024 to December 2024. A total of 52 patients (38 benign, 14 malignant) who underwent ultrasound-guided RFA were analyzed. Data on demographics, nodule characteristics, volume reduction ratio (VRR), symptom and cosmetic scores and complications were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.
Results
The malignant group was older (46.1 vs. 43.5 years) and females predominated in both groups (78.9% benign, 71.4% malignant). At 12 months, the mean VRR was 78.2% in benign and 71.3% in malignant nodules (p = 0.18). Both symptoms and cosmetic scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). Transient complications were observed in 30.7% of patients, with no major or permanent adverse events. Overall, 88.5% achieved ≥50% volume reduction and 92.3% reported symptom relief.
Conclusion
Radiofrequency ablation is an effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment for both benign and selected malignant thyroid nodules in Bangladeshi patients, offering significant symptom and cosmetic improvement with minimal complications.