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Objectives: Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are the first-line treatment, but when discontinued, >50% of patients experience relapses. Conventional definitive treatment options include surgery and radioiodine therapy (RAI), each with its own disadvantages. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) achieved promising short-term remission rates in a previous pilot study. The current study reports our experience of using RFA to treat relapsed GD in the largest cohort of patients with a longer follow-up period. Methods: This single-arm prospective study recruited consecutive patients aged ≥18 with persistent/relapsed GD requiring ATD from two tertiary endocrine surgery centers. Those with compressive goiter, suspected thyroid malignancy, moderate-to-severe Graves' ophthalmopathy, preference for surgery/RAI, or pregnancy were excluded. Eligible patients received ultrasound-guided RFA to the entire bulk of the thyroid gland. ATDs were discontinued afterward, and thyroid function tests were monitored bimonthly. The primary outcome was the disease remission rate at 24 months follow-up after single-session RFA, defined as being biochemically euthyroid or hypothyroid without ATD. Secondary outcomes were complication rates. Results: Of the 100 patients considered, 30 (30.0%) patients were eligible and received RFA. Most were female patients (93.3%). The median total thyroid volume was 23 mL (15.9-34.5). All completed 24 months follow-up. After single-session RFA, disease remission rates were 60.0% at 12 months and 56.7% at 24 months. Among the 13 patients with relapse after RFA, 9 (69%) required a lower ATD dose than before RFA; 2 received surgery without complications. Total thyroid volume was the only significant factor associated with relapse after RFA (odds ratio 1.054, confidence interval 1.012-1.099, p = 0.012). At 24 months, RFA led to disease remission in 100% of the 9 patients with a total thyroid volume <20 mL and 35% of patients with a total thyroid volume ≥20 mL ( p = 0.007). There was no vocal cord palsy, skin burn, hematoma, or thyroid storm after RFA. Conclusions: In a highly selected group of patients with relapsed GD and predominantly small thyroid glands, single-session RFA may achieve disease remission. Smaller total thyroid volume may be a favorable factor associated with disease remission after RFA. The results of this study need to be confirmed with a long-term clinical trial. Clinical Trial Registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrial.gov with identifier NCT06418919.

Objectives: Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid drug (ATD) is often the first-line treatment but  > 50% patients suffer a relapse when ATD is discontinued. Surgery or radioiodine remains the current options of definitive treatment in these patients. This pilot study examined the short-term efficacy of single-session thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a novel definitive treatment for persistent/relapsed GD., Methods: Consecutive patients with persistent/relapsed GD requiring ATD were considered. Those with a clear surgical indication, either thyroid lobe volume  ≥ 20 mL; those who were pregnant or lactating; and those who had any severe medical conditions that would pose extra treatment risks were excluded. Eligible patients received ultrasound-guided RFA of the entire bulk of thyroid gland. Thyroid function tests were monitored bi-monthly. The primary outcome was disease remission rate, defined as a state of biochemical euthyroidism or hypothyroidism without ATD. Secondary outcomes were complication rates., Results: Of the 68 patients considered, 15 (22.1%) patients were eligible. Most were females (93.3%). The median age was 37 (IQR 31-48) years old. The disease remission rates were 79.0% at 6 months and 73.3% at 12 months. Among the 4 patients who relapsed after RFA, three required less ATD dose than before RFA. RFA was well-tolerated in the ambulatory setting. There were no vocal cord palsy, skin burn, hematoma, or thyroid storm after RFA., Conclusions: In well-selected patients, single-session RFA of the thyroid gland may be a potential treatment for patients with persistent/relapsed GD. It is a safe and well-tolerated ambulatory procedure., Key Points: • Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland is an efficacious treatment for persistent/relapsed Graves' disease in well-selected patients. • Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland for the treatment of persistent/relapsed Graves' disease is a safe and well-tolerated ambulatory procedure. • Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland may be a potential alternative treatment for well-selected patients with persistent/relapsed GD who do not wish to undergo either thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine or continue antithyroid drugs., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Society of Radiology.)