Objective To study the curative effect of alcohol ablation and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of solid nodules of the thyroid, in order to compare the therapeutic effect of the two methods. Method Retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with single thyroid cystic nodules in our hospital from February 2014 to June 2015, who underwent ethanol ablation or radiofrequency catheter ablation. Patients were divided into ethanol group (n = 46) and radiofrequency group (n = 49) according to the different treatment methods. The volume reduction of thyroid nodules at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months after treatment was analyzed and compared. The therapeutic effects of the two treatment methods on the different ratio of thyroid cystic solid nodules were observed and analyzed. And to analyze the therapeutic effect of the two treatment methods under different volume. And the adverse reactions of the two groups of patients were analyzed and compared. Results The thyroid nodules of the two groups were reduced, but the volume reduction rate of radiofrequency group（90.78±7.47）% was significantly higher than ethanol group（69.71±4.95）% , the difference had statistical significance (P <0.05). With the increase of the volume of thyroid nodules and reduction of cystic solidity ratio the volume reduction rate of thyroid nodules in both groups decreased, When the volume of nodules greater than 30ml and the cystic solidity ratio was less than 50%, the volume reduction rate was less than 50%, then the treatment was invalid. The nodule volume reduction rate of radiofrequency group was significantly higher than that of ethanol group (P <0.05), regardless of the proportion and volume of nodules. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups. The results had no statistical significance (P> 0.05). Conclusion Thyroid cystic solid nodule less than 30ml, cystic solid more than 50%, ethanol ablation is economic and effective, can be used as the first choice; And larger nodules, cystic mass is less than 50% , the radiofrequency ablation can be used.