Table 2.
Efficacy and tolerability of RFA compared to surgery.
| Outcomes | RFA (=37) |
Surgery (=74) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | ||
| Patients with symptoms | 13 | 43 |
| Resolution of nodule-related symptoms | 11 | 43 |
| Patients with hyperfunctioning nodules | 12 | 20 |
| ATD withdrawal/thyroid function normalization | 4 | 20* |
| Patients with cosmetic concerns | 37 | 74 |
| Excellent cosmetic results | 35 | 65 |
|
| ||
| Outcomes | RFA (=37) |
Surgery (=74) |
|
| ||
| Tolerability | ||
| Patients without levothyroxine prior to treatment | 31 | 68 |
| Hypothyroidism | 0 | 17* |
| Total number of procedures | 38 | 74 |
| Postoperative pain | 2 | 74* |
| Complication rate | 2 | 10* |
*P < 0.05 versus RFA. ATD, antithyroid drugs; RFA, radiofrequency ablation.