Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Nodules and for Cancer, Too?

Jonathon O Russell; Kaitlyn M Frazier

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.004

Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Nodules and for Cancer, Too?

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2024 Feb;57(1):83-97. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.004. Epub 2023 Oct 14.

Authors

Jonathon O Russell¹, Kaitlyn M Frazier²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: jrusse41@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

PMID: 37845130
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.004

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure performed under ultrasound guidance that offers the ability to significantly reduce the size of benign thyroid nodules. Although application for benign nodules has only emerged during the past 5 to 10 years in North America, RFA has an impressive track record of nodule reduction, compressive and cosmetic symptom improvement, and excellent safety profile without the morbidity of open surgery. The role of RFA in autonomous functioning nodules, thyroid cancer, and indeterminate nodules is controversial and remains an area of investigation.

Keywords: Benign thyroid nodules; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Radiofrequency ablation; Symptomatic thyroid nodules; Thyroid cancer quality of life.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Catheter Ablation* / methods
Humans
Radiofrequency Ablation* / methods
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Neoplasms* / surgery
Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
Thyroid Nodule* / surgery
Treatment Outcome