Interstitial laser photocoagulation for benign thyroid nodules: time to treat large nodules.

Background And Objective: Interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a new therapeutic option for the ablation of non-functioning and hyper-functioning benign thyroid nodules. Amelioration of the ablation procedure currently allows treating large nodules. Aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ILP, performed according to a modified protocol of ablation, in patients with large functioning and non-functioning thyroid nodules and to identify the best parameters for predicting successful outcome in hyperthyroid patients.

Low-energy interstitial laser photocoagulation for treatment of nonfunctioning thyroid nodules: therapeutic outcome in relation to pretreatment and treatment parameters.

Objective: Interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a recently proposed therapeutic procedure for the ablation of benign thyroid nodules, which has already proven to be safe and effective. However, results supporting the routine use of ILP are still limited.

Design: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ILP treatment in benign nonfunctioning thyroid nodules and to establish whether the therapeutic outcome may be predicted by any clinical parameter at baseline.