Laser Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules (LARA)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02714946 |
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified September 2019 by Dr. Silvia Manfrini, Campus Bio-Medico University.
Recruitment status was: Active, not recruiting
First Posted : March 22, 2016
Last Update Posted : September 4, 2019
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Thyroid Nodule | Device: Percutaneous Laser Ablation Device: Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation | Not Applicable |
Nodular thyroid disease is a common clinical problem whose prevalence increases with age and with a more widespread use of thyroid ultrasonography. Although most thyroid nodules are benign and need only periodic monitoring, some may require treatment for associated pressure and/or cosmetic symptoms. Although thyroid surgery is the main therapeutic approach for compressive thyroid nodules, it may be associated with several drawbacks. Long-term levothyroxine suppression treatment in elderly patients with large nodular goiters is unsatisfactory because it is ineffective. Furthermore, it is associated with adverse effects on bones and the cardiovascular system. Nonsurgical, minimally invasive treatment modalities such as percutaneous laser ablation (LA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been used to treat thyroid nodules. However no studies comparing LA and RFA have been published so far.
Aims of the study
- To evaluate whether LA and RFA cause a reduction ≥50% in the volume of thyroid nodules after 6 months and 1 year follow-up
- To evaluate whether the features of thyroid nodules as evaluated by thyroid ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, power-doppler and core-biopsy influence LA and RFA outcomes
- To evaluate changes in thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity after LA and RFA.
- To evaluate differences between LA and RFA in terms of complications, side effects and tolerability.
Patients will be recruited, treated and followed at Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in Latina, Italy, by physicians with expertise in LA and RFA. The scientific coordinator of this study is dr. Silvia Manfrini.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 60 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Prospective Randomized Comparative Study of the Effectiveness and Safety of Ultrasound-guided Laser and Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules |
Study Start Date : | January 2016 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | September 2019 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | January 2020 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Active Comparator: LA Arm
Percutaneous Laser Ablation
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Device: Percutaneous Laser Ablation
Single session with standardized approach: One or two fibers will be used for treatments including one to three illuminations with a fixed output power of 3 W, using the pullback technique. Energy for each emission will be 1200-1800J based on nodule volume. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. |
Active Comparator: RFA Arm
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation
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Device: Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation
Single session with standardized approach: A radiofrequency generator and a 17-gauge, 15-cm electrode with a 1-cm active tip will be used. A transisthmic approach along the short axis of the nodule will be used and the nodules will be managed with the moving-shot technique. 60 W of radiofrequency outpower will be used for all nodules. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation |
- Percentage of thyroid nodules with volume reduction at 6 and 12 months after treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Differences in the percentage of nodules with greater than 50% base volume reduction at 6 and 12 months
- Basal Volume of Thyroid Nodules as Predictive factor of response to treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Basal volume in mL of the nodules will be calculated with the ellipsoid formula
- Histopathological features of Thyroid Nodules as Predictive factor of response to treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months ]% of amount of fibrosis and colloid components evaluated with score-biopsy
- Variation in TSH levels after treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Variation in TSH value (mUI/ml) before and after LA and RFA
- Variation in AbTPO and AbTg levels after treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Variation in AbTPO and AbTg levels (UI/ml) before and after LA and RFA
- Complications [ Time Frame: Up to 1 year follow-up ]Differences in the rate of complications and side effects between LA and RFA
- Tolerability evaluated by McGill Pain Questionnaire [ Time Frame: 0 and 6 months ]Tolerability will be evaluated by McGill Pain Questionnaire, Melzack 1975, italian version
- Quality of Life [ Time Frame: 6 months and 1 year ]Quality of Life will be evaluated by SF-36 QoL questionnaire after 6 months and 1 year in both arms.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Solitary thyroid nodule or dominating nodule which is well-identifiable in multinodular goiter.
- Compressive and /or cosmetic symptoms caused by thyroid nodule or increase in nodule volume >20% in 1 year even without symptoms
- A nodule volume ≥ 5 ml
- Solid nodule (uniformly compact or nearly completely solid, with a liquid component not exceeding 30%);
- Two thyroid biopsies resulted negative for malignancy
- Calcitonin levels within normal ranges
Exclusion Criteria:
- Hyperfunctioning lesion as evaluated biochemically and/or by 99mTc scintigraphy
- Pregnancy

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02714946
Italy | |
Santa Maria Goretti Hospital | |
Latina, Italy, 04100 |
Principal Investigator: | Roberto Cianni | Santa Maria Goretti Hospital |
Responsible Party: | Dr. Silvia Manfrini, Medical Doctor, Campus Bio-Medico University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT02714946 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Studio 96-15 CE 93321 |
First Posted: | March 22, 2016 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | September 4, 2019 |
Last Verified: | September 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Thyroid Nodule Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) Percutaneous laser ablation (LA) |
Thyroid Nodule Thyroid Diseases Endocrine System Diseases Thyroid Neoplasms |
Endocrine Gland Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms Head and Neck Neoplasms |