Abstract: Objective To evaluate the method, safety and short-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation
(PLA) for benign solid thyroid nodule (BSTN). Methods The treatment group consisting of 12 patients with single BSTN were
treated with ultrasound-guided PLA. After treatment, the size and blood flow signals in conventional ultrasonography, the
ablation extent of lesions in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and the related complications and thyroid function
were assessed in comparison with the the baseline. A control group including 12 untreated patients with single BSTN was
followed-up in the same manner as in the treatment group. Results In the treatment group, all the 12 patients completed the
treatment successfully. During the follow-up, the volume of the nodules was reduced gradually (P<0.05), and blood flow
signals in the nodules disappeared. Eleven nodules were non-enhanced in CEUS immediately after the treatment, and the
complete ablation rate was 91.7%. During the operation, 3 patients complained of intolerable pain, which was ameliorated or
totally relieved after appropriate treatment. The thyroid function showed no significant changes after the treatment (P>0.05).
The control group followed up for 6 months showed no significant changes in the nodule volume or thyroid function in
comparison with the baseline (P>0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided PLA is a safe and effective minimally invasive
treatment of BSTN without obvious adverse effect on thyroid function.