Percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules

NICE did a rapid review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. This comprised a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 11 sources, which was discussed by the committee. The evidence included 3 systematic reviews, 4 non-randomised comparative studies and 4 case series. It is presented in the summary of key evidence section in the interventional procedures overview. Other relevant literature is in the appendix of the overview.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key efficacy outcomes to be: symptom relief, cosmetic improvement and nodule volume reduction.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key safety outcomes to be: pain, bleeding, damage to adjacent structures and inadvertent treatment of malignant nodules.

One patient organisation submission and 2 commentaries from patients who have had this procedure were received and discussed by the committee.

The committee noted that this procedure can be done with cooled and uncooled microwave ablation devices. Most of the evidence it reviewed on the safety and efficacy of this procedure came from cooled microwave ablation devices.

The committee was informed that using uncooled microwave ablation devices means smaller needles can be used.