Effects of Microwave Ablation Treatment on Voice in Benign Thyroid Nodules and Parathyroid Adenomas
Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, pp.1-9, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1159/000548076
- Journal Name: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.1-9
- Keywords: Acoustic measurements, Microwave ablation, Vocal fold paralysis, Voice analysis, Voice handicap index
- Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Introduction: This study investigates the effects of microwave ablation (MWA) on voice in patients with benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) and parathyroid adenomas (PTAs). Methods: Patients with BTNs or PTAs who underwent MWA treatment were included. All patients had videolaryngostroboscopic (VLS) examinations, GRBAS assessments, patient‐reported outcomes (Turkish Voice Handicap Index-10 [T-VHI-10] and Turkish Voice-Related Quality of Life [T-VRQOL] scales), and acoustic analysis before treatment. Evaluations were repeated at 1 week and 3 months post-procedure. Results: For BTNs, subjective evaluations showed significant improvements in GRBAS total scores (p < 0.001) and patient‐reported outcomes (T-VHI-10, p = 0.006; T-VRQOL, p = 0.010) at 3 months compared to pretreatment. For PTAs, GRBAS total scores increased significantly in the first week (p = 0.001) but were improved by the third month relative to baseline. Acoustic analysis revealed a significant improvement in jitter (%) values for BTNs between pretreatment and 1 week posttreatment (p = 0.005). Shimmer %, F0 (fundamental frequency), and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) remained stable in BTNs (p = 0.421, 0.134, 0.637), while no significant changes in jitter %, shimmer %, F0, or HNR were observed in PTAs (p = 0.529, 0.895, 0.931, 0.975). Conclusion: Subjective assessment results showed significant improvements (GRBAS, T-VHI-10, T-V-RQOL) for BTNs between pretreatment and 3 months posttreatment. For PTAs, GRBAS total scores at 3 months were better than pretreatment. No significant changes were found in patient-reported measurement scores (T-VHI-10, T-V-RQOL) in patients with PTAs. MWA treatment in patients with BTNs positively affected voice by significantly reducing jitter (%), whereas in PTAs, acoustic analysis indicated no significant voice changes.