An interventional study of Ablation treatment of thyroid nodule in Thyroid Nodule \(Benign\) and Ablation Therapy, sponsored by The University of Hong Kong. Recruiting at 1 site in Hong Kong. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-03.
Sponsored by The University of Hong Kong · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Thyroid nodule is a common condition that affects up to 60% of the population. There is an estimated 10% lifetime probability of developing a thyroid nodule. Although most thyroid nodules are benign, up to 10-15% can enlarge to cause compressive symptoms including neck pressure and discomfort, dysphagia, dyspnea, and dysphonia. The conventional treatment for these benign but problematic nodules has been thyroidectomy. Although generally a low risk operation, thyroidectomy is associated with some risk for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, bleeding, infection, and need for thyroid hormone supplementation. Since the early 2000s, ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation has emerged as a potential alternative treatment to surgery for benign thyroid nodules. Of the myriad ablation methods, the most commonly used techniques are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA). [1-3] A growing body of evidence shows that RFA is an effective treatment for benign solid thyroid nodules, toxic adenomas, and thyroid cysts resulting in overall volume reduction ranges of 40-80% at 1 year, with durable resolution of compressive and hyperthyroid symptoms. However, RFA is not without its limitations. Radiofrequency waves can be limited by the heat sink effect and tissue char leading to longer procedure times and potentially less optimal outcomes in larger, hypervascular, and/or more cystic nodules.
Microwave ablation (MWA) is another ablative technique that uses electromagnetic energy waves to cause tissue hyperthermia and coagulative necrosis. It generally causes higher ablation temperatures than RFA and is less subject to the heat sink effect, and therefore can facilitate more efficient ablation procedures. Current evidence comparing RFA versus MWA for thyroid ablation was limited and was either retrospective, non-randomized [4-9], under-powered, or with an unequal baseline. The results from these studies were also conflicting, suggesting suboptimal quality of evidence and bias due to non-standardized technique of ablation across studies. To date, there is no randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of RFA versus MWA for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Given the higher ablation temperatures, freedom from heat sink effect, and no influence from impedance changes during ablation, MWA may achieve different treatment efficacy.
207 studies on the registry are indexed under Thyroid Nodule; 64 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 150 is above the median of 75 across 121 interventional studies indexed under Thyroid Nodule.
Browse Thyroid Nodule studies →The University of Hong Kong is the lead sponsor of 1,292 studies on the registry; 348 are open to participants now.
Of its 9 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants who are undergo thyroid nodule treatment by RFA
Procedure: Ablation treatment of thyroid nodule
Participants who are undergo thyroid nodule treatment by MWA
Procedure: Ablation treatment of thyroid nodule
Use Radiofrequency or Microwave ablation device to treat thyroid nodule
To measure the volume reduction ratio (VRR) of the first ablated nodule at each procedure at 12-months post-procedure
Time frame: 12 months
To measures nodule recurrence rate
Time frame: 12-24 months
To measures thyroid nodule regrowth rate
Time frame: 12-24 months
To measure cosmetic score by investigator (1-4)
To measure cosmetic score from 1 to 4 (1 is No palpable goitre, 2 is Palpable goitre but invisible, 3 is Goitre only visible to experienced clinician, 4 is Easily visible goitre)
Time frame: 12-24 months
To measure the compressive symptom scores (from 0 - 100)
compressive symptom score from 0 (no compression feeling) to 100 (the most compressive)
Time frame: 12-24 months
To measure swallowing impairment scores by questionnaire (SIS-6)
Swallowing Impairment Index (SIS-6) is an assessment tool about swallowing dysfunction and symptom. It comprises six question items ranging from 0 (no impairment) to 24 (maximum impairment)
Time frame: 12-24 months
To measure pain score (0-10) after ablation treatment
0 is no pain, 10 is the most painful
Time frame: 12-24 months
Change of quality of life by SF12 ver 2
SF-12(v2) is an assessment tool about quality of life. It comprises 12 question items ranging from 11 (worst quality of life) to 56 (best quality of life).
Time frame: 12-24 months
Plan to share: Undecided
Started Apr 2024 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2027, 44 months after the start.
Of 67 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Thyroid Nodule, half reached primary completion within 30 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 13 and three quarters within 46. This study's planned 44 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 71 studies reached it within 30 months; a quarter within 14 and three quarters within 46.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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