Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation for Substernal Goiter: Initial Experience

OBJECTIVES To preliminarily evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of microwave ablation (MWA) for substernal goiter (SSG) in select patients and to provide a relevant treatment reference for further studies. METHODS From April 2017 to December 2017, 10 patients with SSG were treated by MWA. All patients were followed for at least 3 months to observe the therapeutic effects and complications. Therapeutic effects were assessed at follow-up for the relief of patients' symptoms, resolution of the cosmetic grade, and volume reduction rate (VRR) of SSG. Possibly related factors for the 3-month VRR of the nodules were analyzed. RESULTS The study included 9 female patients and 1 male patient with a mean age ± SD of 56.8 ± 10.1 years (range, 34-70 years). The mean volume of the nodules was 52.9 ± 27.9 mL (range, 23.7-122.6 mL). The nodule volume was significantly reduced at the 3-month follow-up (17.5 ± 9.5 mL; P