To investigate the clinical value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation in the treatment of predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.

This study included a total of 23 predominantly cystic mixed thyroid nodules from 21 patients undergoing ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation (radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation) at the Department of Ultrasound, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) from June 2016 to August 2017. After thermal ablation procedures, complications were recorded. The volumes of the ablated thyroid nodules were measured, the volume reduction ratios (VRRs) of the ablated thyroid nodules were calculated, and the effects of thermal ablation were analyzed at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups.

Twenty-one patients had no obvious signs of hematoma, bleeding, or nerve injury such as hoarseness during and after thermal ablation procedures. The volumes of ablated nodules were progressively reduced, the VRRs of the 23 nodules in 21 patients at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after thermal ablation were 0.733±0.045, 0.823±0.039, 0.904±0.034, and 0.933±0.026, respectively (F=135.001, P<0.0001), and there were statistically significant differences in VVRs of ablated nodules between any two follow-up time points (P<0.01 for all).

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation for treatment of predominantly cystic thyroid nodules has the advantages of little trauma, high safety, and definite effects. In particular, the "stirring technique" provides new ideas for the thermal ablation of predominantly cystic thyroid nodules, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.