Technique and Procedural Aspects of Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are a frequently seen clinical problem which increased in incidence with the usage of high-resolution ultrasound (US). Most of these nodules are benign and do not need any further management unless they start to be symptomatic, cosmetically unacceptable, or proven to be malignant. Surgery has been the only treatment option. Since scientists and clinicians became more conservative and toward minimally invasive techniques, TNs’ management was not exceptional. Minimally invasive US-guided techniques were introduced in the last two decades as a management of TNs. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered relatively the newest of all and showed a significant reduction in the size and improvement of clinical symptoms.. The aim of this article is to review basic principles and technical details of RFA. RFA showed promising results in TNs size reduction as well as cure of hyperthyroidism due to toxic nodules. Data also reported improvement of compressive symptoms after the procedure. As RFA is a relatively new novel technique in management of thyroid disease, with further studies focusing more on indications, and outcomes, we predict that RFA will be widely applied in the management of thyroid disease. It plays a major role in reducing the number of patients undergoing surgeries and avoiding all the risk related to it.