To compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation(MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

The clinical data of 119 patients (187 nodules in total) with benign thyroid nodules who were treated with ultrasond-guided MWA (56 cases) and RFA (63 cases) in Shenzhen Third People′s Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The ablation time, ablation time per unit volume, volume reduction rate of thyroid nodules after treatment, changes in thyroid function before and after treatment, and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.

The ablation time and ablation time per unit volume in the MWA group were significantly shorter than those in the RFA group (all P<0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, the reduction rate of nodule volume in MWA group was higher than that in RFA group, and the difference was statistically significant in the subgroup with nodule >10 ml (all P<0.05). The incidence of temporary hoarseness in RFA group [6.35%(4/63)]was lower than that in MWA group [12.5%(7/56)], with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).

Microwave ablation is more effective than radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of large thyroid nodules. Radiofrequency ablation is safer than microwave ablation for thyroid nodules near the risk triangle, but further research is needed to confirm.

Thyroid nodule; Radiofrequency ablation; Microwave ablation