Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: In the last few years, thermal ablative therapies for benign thyroid nodules have emerged strongly and there is increased evidence about its efficacy in improving cosmetic and compressive symptoms. Majority of authors reported in their literature that they follow up their patients by improvement in compressive & cosmetic score and volume reduction ratio (VRR) by ultrasound measurement. The aim of the current study is to assess the clinical utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in follow up of patients with benign thyroid nodules after thermal ablation (TA).

Methods: We included 60 patients in our study (12 of them were males) and their mean age 38y (ranging from 18 to 67 years) who performed TA for benign thyroid nodules (radiofrequency and microwave ablation). All patients were followed by cosmetic scores, compressive scores and VRR by thyroid ultrasound (baseline and 6 months after TA). We used PIUR imaging (PI) software as an example for AI to create 3D images and videos baseline and 6 months after TA for 30 patients. Moreover, 6 months after TA all participants were subjected to Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (PSQ) -to assess patient satisfaction from TA- and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-A) to assess anxiety symptoms after TA. Finally, both scores were compared between group (1) (30 patients performed scan using PI software plus conventional ways of follow up) & group (2) 30 patients not performed scan by PI software (as a reference group).

Results: Among group (1) patients, there was statistically significant lower HAMA-A score (P value <0.05) in comparison to patients in group (2). Furthermore, there was statistically significant higher PSQ scores in comparison to patients in group (2).

Conclusions: PI software -as an example for AI- is a useful tool for follow up of patients with TA as it increases patient satisfaction from TA and help in reducing anxiety symptoms related to thyroid nodules.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Thyroid Nodules; Patient Satisfaction.