Radiofrequency ablation vs. microwave ablation for patients with benign thyroid nodules: a propensity score matching study

Purpose To compare the efficacy and the safety of radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules using a propensity score matching study design. Methods Two hundred and sixty patients with benign thyroid nodules were studied retrospectively, including 102 patients treated with radiofrequency ablation and 158 treated with microwave ablation. To reduce confounding bias due to retrospective assignment, propensity score matching was performed to balance the preablation data of the two groups. After matching, a total of 102 patient pairs (1:1) were created. The volume reduction ratio, therapeutic success rate, symptom and cosmetic score, and major complication were compared between the two groups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Results Between the well-matched groups, no significant differences were found in all nodule volume-related end points at 6 months (volume reduction ratio: 79.4 vs. 77.2 %, P = 0.108; symptom score: 2.1 vs. 1.9, P = 0.456; cosmetic score: 2.1 vs. 2.3, P = 0.119; therapeutic success rate: 99 vs. 97 %, P = 0.621) and 12 months (volume reduction ratio: 83.6 vs. 81.6 %, P = 0.144; symptom score: 1.5 vs. 1.5, P = 0.869; cosmetic score: 1.6 vs. 1.7, P = 0.409; therapeutic success rate: 100 vs. 100 %, P > 0.99) after treatment. No major complications occurred in either group ( P > 0.99). Conclusions With well-matched groups and consistent procedure design, our results demonstrated that the volume reduction ratio, therapeutic success rate, symptom and cosmetic score, and complications related to treatment for the two techniques are equivalent. Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are both effective and safe methods in treating benign thyroid nodules.