Treatment of thyroid nodules with radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Thyroid Adenomas is a very common cause of pressure symptoms, swallowing difficulties and cosmetic symptoms. However, the majority of thyroid adenomas are benign, and do not need treatment if they are asymptomatic. When treatment is required, the standard treatment in most centers is surgery, typically in the form of a lobectomy (removal of a thyroid lobe). In order to avoid the risks associated with surgery: bleeding, infection, recurrent laryngeal nerve damage and postoperative hypothyroidism [1] [2], radiofrequency ablation has been introduced as a minimally invasive treatment option. Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) is a technique in which radiofrequency energy (an electric current) is used to generate heat that destroys the cells and causes the adenoma to shrink.