Comparison of efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction between thermal ablation, conventional/open thyroidectomy, and endoscopic thyroidectomy for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules.

Purpose: Thermal ablation (TA) is a minimally invasive treatment method for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). This study aimed to evaluate the value of TA by comparing the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction with conventional/open thyroidectomy (ConT) and endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) for symptomatic BTNs.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic BTNs who underwent ConT, ET, or TA therapy between January 2018 and January 2020 were included.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for needle biopsy of central lung cancer with atelectasis.

Purpose: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can distinguish between central lung cancer and atelectatic lung tissue. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical value of CEUS for biopsy in patients with central lung cancer with obstructive atelectasis.

Methods: One hundred and twelve patients were selected and CEUS was performed to display central lung cancer and atelectatic lung tissue.