Factors Influencing a Favorable Outcome for RFA of Huge Benign Thyroid Nodules: Preliminary Results and Short-Term Evaluation
Table 1
The 22 possible influence factors of huge BTNs based on the post-RFA VRR.
Characteristics
VRR <80%
VRR >80%
value
Gender
0.611
Male
3 (27.3%)
2 (18.2%)
Female
8 (72.7%)
9 (81.8%)
Age (year)
1
<50 y/o
5 (45.5%)
5 (45.5%)
>50 y/o
6 (54.5%)
6 (54.5%)
Location
0.03
Left
4 (36.4%)
9 (81.8%)
Right
7 (63.6%)
2 (18.2%)
Intrathoracic extension
0.665
With
5 (45.5%)
4 (36.4%)
Without
6 (54.5%)
7 (63.6%)
Echo feature I
0.03
Predominant solid/spongiform
4 (36.4%)
9 (81.8%)
Solid
7 (63.6%)
2 (18.2%)
Echo feature II
1
Hyperechoic
9 (81.8%)
9 (81.8%)
Hypoechoic
2 (18.2%)
2 (18.2%)
Electrode active tip
1
10 or 15 mm
11 (100%)
10 (90.9%)
5 mm
0 (0%)
1 (9.1%)
Characteristics
VRR <80%a
VRR >80%a
value
Max length (cm)
8.8 (8, 10, 8)
8.9 (7.9, 10.1)
0.797
Original size (mL)
128.3 (108.1, 212.8)
141.8 (124.5, 160.8)
0.797
Total RFA energy (J)
28.7 (23.9, 47.6)
32.2 (17.7, 43.9)
0.478
Energy/volume (J/mL)
0.2 (0.1, 0.3)
0.2 (0.1, 0.3)
0.438
Initial ablation rate (%)b
51.4 (38.7, 64.5)
70.6 (58.5, 73.5)
0.028
Mean resistance (watts)
50 (45, 65)
45 (42.5, 54.5)
0.047
Total RFA time (min)
40 (35, 55)
46 (27.5, 72)
0.748
Original symptom scorec
2 (1, 2)
2 (0, 2)
0.949
Original cosmetic scored
3 (3, 3)
3 (3, 3)
0.748
Original iPTH (pg/mL)e
28.5 (14.8, 45.1)
49.8 (19.1, 80.1)
0.195
Original Ca (mg/dL)
9.4 (9.0, 9.9)
9.4 (9.1, 9.9)
0.888
Original T3 (ng/dL)
98.2 (80.6, 115.6)
100 (87.6, 111.2)
0.973
Original T4 (ng/dL)
1.2 (1.0, 1.3)
1.2 (1.0, 1.4)
0.918
Original TSH (μIU/mL)
1.0 (0.4, 1.2)
0.6 (0.1, 1.0)
0.197
Statistically significant difference. aData are presented as median (25th percentile and 75th percentile). bInitial ablation rate (%) = (ablation region volume/total volume) × 100. cFor each positive symptom, we allocated one point; therefore, the symptom scores ranged from 0 to 5. dThe cosmetic score was obtained using the following scale: 0, no visible or palpable mass; 1, not visible but palpable mass; 2, visible when swallowing only; 3, an easily visible mass [3]. eIntact parathyroid hormone.
