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Study of the Feasibility of Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules

Study of the Feasibility of Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules by Percutaneous Radiological Approach

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03646383
Acronym
TRAF
Enrollment
40
Registered
2018-08-24
Start date
2019-01-29
Completion date
2022-12-27
Last updated
2023-03-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Benign Thyroid Nodules

Keywords

benign thyroid nodule, radiofrequency, symptomatic thyroid nodule

Brief summary

The purpose of the present protocol is to evaluate the response rate to treatment of these symptomatic benign nodules with radiofrequency as an alternative to surgical treatment. This thyroid nodules ablation with radiofrequency will be directed by a single percutaneous procedure guided by ultrasound. The procedure includes an ultrasound with percutaneously radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodule. Clinical and ultrasonographic monitoring will last a year with consultations at 2 weeks (consultation only), 3 months, 6 months and 1 year (consultation, ultrasound TSH). The success of this procedure will be controlled with 3 successive ultrasounds the following year. The expected results are a decrease in the size of the nodule by at least 50% and a reduction in the functional and aesthetic discomfort, with less frequent complication than what is expected with surgery. The present study also intends to determine the medico economic impact of this technique compared to surgery.

Detailed description

Thyroid benign nodules represent a major public health problem because they are very common (subclinical nodules were found in half of woman beyond 60 years). The main risk factors include age, female gender, parity, smoking and family history of thyroid nodules or thyroiditis. The assessment is based on biology, ultrasound and fine needle aspiration and intends to determine the benign nature (95%) or cancer (5%) of the nodules and if they are functional or not (toxic nodule). Most benign nodules are asymptomatic but some of them because of their size and location can cause a functional disorder (compression or swallowing disorder) or aesthetic and psychological resounding.In current practice, these nodules are sometimes treated with surgery that impact on patient quality of life (need to take L-Thyroxine, difficulties related to the possible occurrence of complications like hypoparathyroidism or laryngeal paralysis) and socio-economic constraints especially when complications occur. To limit the number of unnecessary and potentially risky surgeries, patients should therefore be well selected. If surgery is the preferred treatment of thyroid cancer, alternative techniques like radiofrequency seem interesting for benign nodules.

Interventions

PROCEDURERadiofrequency ablation

The procedure will include an ultrasound with radiofrequency ablation of the benign thyroid nodule percutaneously

Sponsors

University Hospital, Toulouse
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Euthyroid or hypothyroidism properly substituted with normal TSH * Benin nodule proved by FNA (Bethesda) and normal Calcitonin * Nodule size\> 1cm and / or increase in size * Single nodule or asymptomatic nodules associated * Symptomatic nodule with functional impairment and / or aesthetic Patient Agreement * Patient with insurance coverage * Written agreement for participation

Exclusion criteria

The

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Procedure response rate6 monthsFirst estimate of the procedure response rate (patient with complete procedure in percentage)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in nodular volumeat 6 and 12 monthscompared to the volume measured at inclusion. This reduction will be estimated in absolute value and in relative value (percentage reduction for a given subject)
volume change of nodules by at least 50 percent, at 6 monthsat 6 monthsPercentage of patients with a volume decrease of at least 50 percent, 6 months after the procedure. Patients for which the procedure could not be fully performed will be counted among patients who have not had a reduction of at least 50 percent
volume change of nodules by at least 50 percent, at 12 monthsat 12 monthsPercentage of patients with a volume decrease of at least 50 percent, 12 months after the procedure. Patients for which the procedure could not be fully performed will be counted among patients who have not had a reduction of at least 50 percent
complete disappearance of symptomsat 12 monthsThe symptoms will be evaluated by a visual analogue scale of 0 to 10 as proposed by the Korean consensus. The symptoms assessed will be: cervical pain, dysphagia, foreign body sensation, discomfort, coughing.
aesthetic changeat 3, 6 and 12 monthsThis improvement will be evaluated with a 4-level scale (no clinically detectable nodule 0, palpable nodule 1, visible nodule on swallowing 2, spontaneously visible nodule 3) as proposed by the Korean consensus. The improvement will be defined by the transition to the lower category.
patients requiring L-thyroxine replacement therapyat 6 and 12 monthsPercentage of patients requiring L-thyroxine replacement therapy
Assessment of pain during the procedure with visual analogue scalebetween Day 1 and Day 15Evaluation of the pain during the procedure using a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 established at the end of the procedure
Economic evaluation from the point of view of the hospitalBetween Day 1 and 12 monthsevaluation, from the point of view of the hospital, of the production cost of the new technique
patients who have used analgesicsbetween Day 1 and Day 15Percentage of patients who have used analgesics during and after the procedure
Economic evaluation from the point of view of the health insuranceBetween Day 1 and 12 monthsEvaluation, from the point of view of health insurance, of the cost of the care of patients who benefited from the new technique
one or more complicationsat 6 and 12 monthsIn particular, the following will be investigated: signs of cutaneous involvement such as burns, hematoma and intra-nodular bleeding, recurrent paralysis, superinfections, tracheal or esophageal wounds.

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026