There is no scientific data on post-thermal ablation cytological aspects, but treated nodules that grow back significantly after a procedure justify a new cytology in order not to ignore a neoplastic process.
The EU-TIRADS classification usually used to stratify the risk of cancer (and to justify a fine needle aspiration biopsy) of thyroid nodules is not validated for nodules treated by thermal ablation (TA) (post-RF nodules). However, these nodules often acquire ultrasound criteria of suspicion making it necessary to develop an ultrasound stratification of the risk of malignancy specific to nodules treated by TA.
The objective of this work is to describe the ultrasound and cytological aspects of these treated nodules by performing a systematic assessment at 3 years after thermal ablation including systematic neck ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Thus, an ultrasound and cytological atlas (Bethesda classification 2017) of nodules treated by thermal ablation will be constituted.
Patients > 18 years old
Carrier of a benign thyroid nodule that has undergone radiofrequency thermoablation 36 months previously ± 12 months +/- 1 month, whether the nodule is stable, progressing or decreasing in volume during the screening period and/or on the day of inclusion.
Obtaining written informed consent
Affiliation to a social security system (excluding AME)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Previous alcohol use
Patients on anti-vitamin K anticoagulants
Patients on direct oral anticoagulants
Single group
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
Procedure/SurgeryThyroid FNAB is a minimally invasive procedure performed routinely by an experienced sonographer. It is a safe and brief procedure, performed with a 27G or 25G (very fine) needle (3 needles, i.e. 1 needle per pass)
Cytological change after thermoablation, as described by the 2017 Bethesda classification in six classes, scale ranging from I to VI.
Cytological result of the nodule 3 years after thermoablation, the result of which is given according to the 2017 Bethesda classification in six classes ranging from I to VI.
Ultrasound description of the nodule: size (length x width x thickness)
Ultrasound description of the nodule: volume (length x width x thickness)
Ultrasound description of the nodule: echogenicity, as compared with the adjacent thyroid and muscular tissues
Ultrasound description of the nodule: echostructure, measured as the percentage of liquid volume compared to nodule's total volume
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
