Risk factors of recurrent thyroid nodules after radiofrequency ablation

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of thyroid nodule recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: The medical record information of 120 patients with thyroid nodules admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to April 2022 was retrospectively analysed. All participants received RFA treatment. According to the results of the postoperative thyroid ultrasoundexamination (USG), the patients were divided into the recurrence group (R, N=16) and the non-recurrence group (NR,N=104). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors of thyroid nodule recurrenceafter RFA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyse the value of the forecast of each independentfactor and combined model for thyroid nodule recurrence after RFA. Results: During the follow-up period, 16 patients recurred, and the recurrence rate was 13.33%. Univariate regression analysisshowed that whether the nodules are solitary (WNS), nodule diameter (ND), the degree of risk of nodular location (DRN),recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury were associated with thyroid nodule recurrence after RFA (P<0.05). Binary logisticregression analysis showed that WNS, ND, DRN and RLN injury were independent risk factors for the recurrence of thyroidnodules after RFA (P<0.05). ROC analysis of independent factors and combined model showed that solitary nodules, nodulediameter and nodule location risk degree had diagnostic value, while RLN injury had no predictive value. The combined modelis more predictive than the independent factors. Conclusions: The risk factors of recurrent thyroid nodules after radiofrequency ablation are related to WNS, ND, DRN and so on, which should be paid attention to and preventive measures should be taken. Keywords: Thyroid nodules; radiofrequency ablation; recurrence; risk factors.