Thyroid Nodule Radiofrequency Ablation: Complications and Clinical Follow Up

James Y Lim; Jennifer H Kuo

doi:10.1016/j.tvir.2022.100824

Thyroid Nodule Radiofrequency Ablation: Complications and Clinical Follow Up

Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Jun;25(2):100824. doi: 10.1016/j.tvir.2022.100824. Epub 2022 Mar 10.

Authors

James Y Lim¹, Jennifer H Kuo²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR. Electronic address: ljam@ohsu.edu.
² Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: jhk2029@cumc.columbia.edu.

PMID: 35551808
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvir.2022.100824

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an increasingly popular non-surgical alternative for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Although RFA is less invasive than surgery, it is not without its own risks with major complications occurring at a rate ranging up to 3.8% in large systematic reviews. We review the range of minor and major complications that have been described after thyroid RFA and their potential management. We also review recommended post-ablation follow-up schedules as well as expectations on thyroid nodule volume rate reduction after treatment. Long term follow-up is necessary as there can be regrowth of ablated thyroid nodules due to an undertreated nodule margin. Overall, RFA has been shown to be a consistently safe and effective treatment for thyroid nodules with excellent long-term results.

Keywords: Complications; Outcomes; Radiofrequency ablation; Thyroid nodule.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Radiofrequency Ablation* / adverse effects
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
Thyroid Nodule* / surgery
Treatment Outcome