SynthesisEuropean radiology2024
Efficacy of HIFU for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in European radiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Ablative Technologies for Thyroid Nodules: A Health Technology Assessment.Ontario health technology assessment series · 2026Pooled it
- Laser Deflection Acoustic Field Quantification: A Non-Invasive Measurement Technique for Focused Ultrasound Field Characterization.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Mapping the Evolution of Thyroid Ultrasound Research: A 30-year Bibliometric AnalysisCurrent medical imaging · 2025Review
- US/PA/MR multimodal imaging-guided multifunctional genetically engineered bio-targeted synergistic agent for tumor therapy.Journal of nanobiotechnology · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThyroid nodules are common and sometimes associated with cosmetic issues. Surgical treatment has several disadvantages, including visible scarring. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a recent noninvasive treatment for thyroid nodules. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of HIFU for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.
methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies evaluating the outcomes of HIFU for patients with benign thyroid nodules. We conducted a meta-analysis by using a random effects model and evaluated the volume reduction ratio, treatment success rate, and incidence of treatment-related complications.
resultsThirty-two studies were included in the systematic review. Only 14 studies were used in the meta-analysis because the other 18 involved data collected during overlapping periods. The average volume reduction ratios at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment were 39.02% (95% CI: 27.57 to 50.47%, I
conclusionsHIFU is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with benign thyroid nodules. However, the effects of HIFU on nodules of large sizes and with different properties require further investigation. Additional studies, particularly randomized controlled trials involving long-term follow-up, are warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Surgical treatment for thyroid nodules often results in permanent visible scars and is associated with a risk of bleeding, nerve injury, and hypothyroidism. High-intensity focused ultrasound may be an alternative for patients with benign thyroid nodules. KEY POINTS: • The success rate of HIFU treatment for thyroid nodules is 75.8% at 6 months. Average volume reduction ratios are 48.55% and 55.02% at 6 and 12 months. • The incidence of complications such as vocal fold paresis, Horner's syndrome, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypothyroidism, and skin redness is low. • HIFU is both effective and safe as a treatment for benign thyroid nodules.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.