Value of CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation of large solid benign thyroid nodules

ObjectivesTo investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation (MWA) of large solid benign thyroid nodules (LSBTNs) with a diameter & GE; 4 cm. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with LSBTN & GE; 4 cm in diameter treated with MWA. During evaluations before and after MWA, 53 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound examination were classified as the routine group, and 69 patients who underwent CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation were classified as the union group. The differences in ablation energy required per milliliter (AERPM), complication rate, regrowth rate, and volume reduction rate (VRR) were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe AERPM of the union group was significantly less than that of the routine group (956.3 & PLUSMN; 38.5 J/mL vs. 1025.9 & PLUSMN; 121.5 J/mL, p < 0.001). The complication rate of the routine group was significantly higher than that of the union group (13.2% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.031). The regrowth rate of the routine group (22.6%, 12/53) was significantly higher than that of the union group (7.2%, 5/69) (p = 0.015). At the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th month after ablation, the mean VRRs of the routine group were significantly less than those of the union group, with p values of < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.002, 0.007, 0.013, and < 0.001, respectively. ConclusionsThe application of CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in the MWA of LSBTNs is helpful to reduce the regrowth rate, improve the ablation efficiency, and reduce bleeding.