Why remove the thyroid gland in order
to eliminate the symptoms of benign nodules?
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ModìLite is the ECHOLASER Thermal Ablation treatment for neck lesions, namely benign thyroid nodules.
The name of the treatment contains in a single word the application area (the neck, “Modì” was the nickname of Tuscan painter, Amedeo Modigliani, who portrayed female subjects with very long, slim necks) and “Lite”, which on one hand refers to the lightweight and micro-invasiveness of the treatment, and on the other, the therapeutic source (Light, therefore Laser).
The name ModìLite marks the difference of the procedure performed with ECHOLASER (micro-invasiveness and multi-fibre approach in a single system) from the other thermal ablation techniques.
Suitability
ModìLite is indicated for those who have one or more benign solid thyroid nodules which are large enough to create aesthetic damage or local compression symptoms, or for those who prefer not to undergo surgery. ModìLite is also a safe and effective treatment for subjects who, due to critical medical conditions, are not able to undergo surgery.
Despite focusing on treatment of benign solid thyroid nodules, Modìlite is also effective for malignant neck lesions such as metastatic lymph nodes. With this application, the treatment is radical, resulting in a complete ablation of the lesion.
Performance
- Reduction in volume of benign thyroid nodules due to the Laser Induced CytoReduction (LICR) process, resulting in an improvement of local symptoms;
- Complete ablation of malignant neck tumours, with a sufficient safety margin
What is it?
Modìlite consists of the percutaneous insertion of optical fibres (1 or 2 depending on the size of the nodule), and the delivery of laser energy for several minutes, which heats the tissues until they are destroyed. Subsequently, the progressive reduction of the volume of the thyroid nodule (reduction of at least > 50% compared to the basal volume at the one-year follow-up) induced by the natural reduction mechanisms of the necrotic tissues of the human body leads to the disappearance of the compressive symptoms and aesthetic damage to the neck. The planning of the treatment, the insertion of the needles and the monitoring are all carried out under ultrasound guidance. In order to facilitate the insertion manoeuvre and plan the best positioning of the needles in the lesion, ECHOLASER employs:
- dedicated multi-applicator Guiding Systems for ultrasound probes specifically designed for the anatomical area of the thyroid, with the relative Biopsy Software that displays the guidelines on the screen;
- Planning Software in the ultrasound unit that allows physicians to choose among the various treatment possibilities, the most suitable and safest for each specific case, and verify the correct positioning of the needles inside the nodule.
A single ModìLite treatment leads to a significant and persistent reduction in the volume of the thyroid nodule and improves local symptoms without any changes to the thyroid function.
1./2. LA332 Esaote probe with dedicated multi-fibre Guiding System
3. Biopsy Software related to multi-fibre Guiding System / 4.Planning Software
Advantages
- a reduction of the compressive symptoms and/or aesthetic damage
- “in situ” thermal destruction with a consequent reduction of the nodule volume
- preservation of the healthy tissue and the organ function
- highly predictable and repeatable coagulation volume, as required in the small organs
- use of fine, non-traumatic needles for neck structures
- option of treating patients with pace-makers (excellent electromagnetic compatibility)
- no general anaesthesia (thanks to the very fine needles not even local anaesthetic is necessary)
- short duration of the treatment (few minutes)
- no scars on the neck
- rapid recovery
- life-long hormone replacement therapy not necessary
- no or insignificant post-treatment pain
For more details about the ModìLite procedure, please visit the dedicated website: www.modilite.info
Clinical Case no.1
Benign Thyroid Nodule
A patient with a solid isoechoic nodule (volume 20ml) in the right thyroid lobe, underwent EchoLaser Thermal Ablation. No discomfort was reported by the patient during the treatment .
CEUS image after the treatment showing the hypoechoic zone of the coagulation area
The ultrasound scan at the two-year follow-up showed a reduction in the nodule volume equal to 70% compared to the basal volume.
US images before the treatment and at the two-year follow-up showing the reduction of the nodule
Images courtesy of Dr. Rago (Cisanello Hospital, Pisa)
Clinical Case no.2
Metastatic Lymph nodes in the neck
Patient with metastatic lymph node from papillary thyroid carcinoma has been treated with the EchoLaser Thermal Ablation with two fibres.
CEUS image showing the high absorption of the contrast of the pathological lymph node
US image showing two fibres inside the lymph node
CEUS image showing the absence of enhancement after the treatment
Images courtesy of Dr. Giovanni Mauri (IEO Hospital, Milan)
Thyroid Bening Nodules
The feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation for multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
Lu Zhang, Gui Ping Zhang, Wei Wei Zhan and Wei Zhou
Front. Endocrinol., 17 August 2022 Sec. Thyroid Endocrinology
Image-guided thermal ablation in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. A retrospective multicenter three-year follow-up study from the Italian Minimally Invasive Treatment of the Thyroid (MITT) Group
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Minimally-invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules: a Delphi-based consensus statement from the Italian minimally invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) group.
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Benign thyroid nodule unresponsive to radiofrequency ablation treated with laser ablation: a case report
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J Med Case Rep. 2018 May 11;12(1):127.
Percutaneous Ethanol Injection in Combination with Laser Ablation for a 100 ml Partially Cystic Thyroid Nodule
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A single session of laser ablation for toxic thyroid nodules: three-year follow-up results
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Benign thyroid nodules treatment using percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
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Detection of the Single-Session Complete Ablation Rate by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound during Ultrasound-Guided Laser Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Study
Shuhua Ma, Ping Zhou, XiaominWu, Shuangming Tian, and Yongfeng Zhao
BioMed Research International Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 9565364, 8 pages
AACE/ACE/AME Thyroid Nodule Guidelines
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Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications of Laser Ablation for Thyroid Nodules. A Multicenter Study on 1531 Patients
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Achille G, Zizzi S, Di Stasio E, Grammatica A, Grammatica L.
Head Neck. 2014 Dec 18.
Thyroid nodule morphology affects the efficacy of ultrasound-guided interstitial laser ablation: A nested case-control study
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Long-term Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Laser Ablation for Benign Solid Thyroid Nodules. Results of a Three-Year Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial
Papini E, Rago T, Gambelunghe G, Valcavi R, Bizzarri G, Vitti P, De Feo P, Riganti F, Misischi I, Di Stasio E, Pacella CM.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Oct;99(10)
Laser ablation and 131-iodine: a 24-month pilot study of combined treatment for large toxic nodular goiter
Chianelli M, Bizzarri G, Todino V, Misischi I, Bianchini A, Graziano F, Guglielmi R, Pacella CM, Gharib H, Papini E.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jul;99(7)
Diagnosis of endocrine disease: thyroid ultrasound (US) and US-assisted procedures: from the shadows into an array of applications
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Eur J Endocrinol. 2014 Mar 14;170(4):R133-46
Clinical review: Nonsurgical, image-guided, minimally invasive therapy for thyroid nodules
Gharib H, Hegedüs L, Pacella CM, Baek JH, Papini E
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The administration of anesthetic in the thyroid pericapsular region increases the possibility of side effects during percutaneous laser photocoagulation of thyroid nodules
Gambelunghe G, Bini V, Monacelli M, Avenia N, D’Ajello M, Colella R, De Feo P
Lasers Surg Med. 2013
Ultrasound-Guided Interstitial Laser Ablation for Thyroid Nodules Is Effective Only at High Total Amounts of Energy: Results From a Three-Year Pilot Study
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Laser and Radiofrequency Ablation procedures
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Thyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA
Springer
Treatment of Benign Cold Thyroid Nodules: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Percutaneous Laser Ablation Versus Levothyroxine Therapy or Follow-up
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Metastatic lymph nodes of the neck
Laser Ablation Treatment of Recurrent Lymph Node Metastases from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Offi C, Misso C, Antonelli G, Esposito MG, Brancaccio U, Spiezia S
Journal of Clinical Medicine (2021)
Percutaneous ultrasound-guided laser ablation for the treatment of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis: a pilot study.
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Ultrasound-guided laser ablation for local control of neck recurrences of medullary thyroid cancer. A feasibility study.
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Treatment of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in the Neck from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Percutaneous Laser Ablation.
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Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in the Neck from Papillary thyroid carcinoma: preliminary results.
Mauri G, Cova L, Tondolo T, Ierace T, Baroli A, Di Mauro E, Pacella CM, Goldberg SN, Solbiati L
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Percutaneous ultrasound-guided laser ablation is effective for treating selected nodal metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.
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Adenoma Parathyroid
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The videos on the page are commented by the respective healthcare professionals, EchoLaser Therapy experts on thyroid nodules.
Teresa Rago, MD
Head physician of the Endocrinology Department, Cisanello Hospital (Pisa) – Italy
Multicentric Randomized Controlled Study of Percutaneous Laser Ablation Versus Follow Up in Benign Thyroid Nodules. Long Term Results
Multicentre Randomized Clinical Trial
No. of patients enrolled: 200
Reference Centres of the study: 4, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Pisa – Presidio di Cisanello, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova
Study status: Completed
Registered on ClinicalTrial.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00858104
Publications of the results: Long-term Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Laser Ablation for Benign Solid Thyroid Nodules. Results of a Three-Year Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial, Papini E, Rago T, Gambelunghe G, Valcavi R, Bizzarri G, Vitti P, De Feo P, Riganti F, Misischi I, Di Stasio E, Pacella CM. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Oct
Laser Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules (LARA)
Randomised Clinical Trial
No. of patients enrolled: 60
Reference Study Centre: Ospedale, Santa Maria Goretti, Latina
Study status: Completed
Registered on ClinicalTrial.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02714946
Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Thyroid Papillary Microcarcinoma
No. of patients enrolled: 10
Reference Study Centre: Memorial Sloan Kettering ,New York
Study status: patients enrolment
Registered on ClinicalTrial.gov: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04623801