High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound (Hifu) Treatment For Thyroid Nodules: Experimental And First Clinical Studies

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid nodules are common and can only be removed by surgery. High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) could be a possible minimally invasive alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using HIFU to precisely ablate thyroid nodules without affecting neighbouring structures. METHODS: HIFU was generated by a 3‐MHz spherical piezocomposite transducer moved across the target in a stepwise fashion. In a first clinical study 25 patients had their nodules treated with HIFU 2 weeks prior to planned thyroidectomy, using increasing energy. The last patients received a local anesthesia. The lesions were assessed by the pathologist. RESULTS: The histological lesions were clearly visible in most of the fully treated patients, particularly those who received higher energy. Superficial and reversible skin blisters were observed in 7 patients. The design of the treatment head was subsequently modified to eliminate such risk. CONCLUSION: The patient trials confirmed the preci...