Percutaneous Laser Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Benign Solitary Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are common and surgery is the usual treatment. One of the common complications after thyroid surgery is keloid formation in front of the neck which is an important cosmetic problem. Nodular goiter is a common disorder of thyroid and its common treatment is surgery. Considering the fact that with clinical evaluation and FNA, the risk of malignancy in these cases is low a non aggressive approach to this complication is necessary. This study aims to evaluate of the effectiveness of percutaneous laser photocoagulation (PLP) in reducing the volume of benign thyroid nodules. In this case-controlled clinical trial, 39 female euthyroid patients with solitary solid benign thyroid nodules were enrolled 18 patients were treated with ultrasound guided percutaneous laser photocoagulation, and 21 patients were included in the control group. PLP was performed by diode surgical laser with 1-3 watt output for 123-1019 seconds. All patients were followed up for 3 months. After PLP, mean nodule volume decreased from a baseline value of 26.3 ± 23 mL to 15.1 ± 13 at 3 months. Mean nodule volume reduction in comparison with baseline was 42.72%. Compressive symptoms showed relative decrease. No serious complication was seen, nor was any keloid or scar observed in the front of the neck. PLP can be a minimally invasive effective alternative treatment for symptomatic benign solitary solid thyroid nodules in patients not suitable for surgery.