The relationship between ablation range and ablation energy in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a comparison between microwave ablation and laser ablation

ConclusionsMWA showed a higher RAV/E than LA. More intuitively, MWA had a better ablation performance than LA on the orthogonal axis rather than the longitudinal axis. Theoretically, MWA and LA could achieve complete ablation of  ≤ 6.70 mm and ≤ 4.69 mm PTMC separately by single-applicator fixed ablation considering a unilateral 2-mm safe margin. HT had a negative effect on LA but not on MWA.Clinical relevance statementThis study establishes strong connections between ablation energy and ablation range in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in vivo, possibly contributing to the supplementation of the PTMC Ablation Consensus or Guidelines and providing a scientific basis for choosing clinical ablation parameters in PTMC.Key Points•Both microwave ablation (MWA) and laser ablation (LA) have excellent performance on the ablation longitudinal axis (easily exceeding 10  mm) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).•MWA performed much better than LA on the ablation orthogonal axis.•MWA and LA are expected to achieve complete ablation of ≤ 6.70  mm and ≤ 4.69  mm PTMC separately by single-applicator fixed ablation considering a unilateral 2-mm safe margin.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research