Application value of ultrasonic appraisal system in evaluation of microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules

XU Jinmei; LIU Meng; WANG Xinyi; LIU Yan; LIU Yingxian; SUN Jinwen

Abstract：Objective The curative effect of microwave ablation for thyroid nodules with different ultrasonic features was clas-sified and summarized. To investigate the value of ultrasound appraisal system in evaluation of microwave ablation for benign thy-roid nodules. Methods 207 patients (351 nodules) underwent microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules in our hospital. Ultrasonic characteristics such as nodule size (maximum diameter and volume), boundary, properties, flow grade, ultrasonic elastographic grade,strain ratio (SR),calcification were evaluated before surgery and 1 day,1,3,6 months,1 year after sur-gery. Results Postoperative indicators such as nodule size(maximum diameter and volume),flow grade,ultrasonic elastograph-ic grade and strain ratio compared with preoperative were statistically significant differences( P <0.001). The volume reduction rate (VRR) of nodules in which maximum diameter was≤2 cm or volume≤4 ml or with low blood flow preoperative was signifi-cantly higher( P <0.05). However,indicators such as boundary,properties,flow grade,ultrasonic elastographic grade and cal-cification had no significant correlation with the 1-year-VRR. Conclusion Nodules of maximum diameter, volume and blood flow classification are important preoperative evaluation indexes. Ultrasonic appraisal system has important guiding value in preop-erative evaluation,postoperative evaluation and follow-up of microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules.