Can Thyroid Nodules be Managed with Radiofrequency Ablation?

Emad Kandil; Peter P Issa; Gregory W Randolph

doi:10.1016/j.yasu.2023.05.004

Can Thyroid Nodules be Managed with Radiofrequency Ablation?

Adv Surg. 2023 Sep;57(1):87-101. doi: 10.1016/j.yasu.2023.05.004. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Authors

Emad Kandil¹, Peter P Issa², Gregory W Randolph³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA. Electronic address: ekandil@tulane.edu.
² Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.

PMID: 37536864
DOI: 10.1016/j.yasu.2023.05.004

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an established and growing minimally-invasive technique with an impressive safety profile used to manage thyroid nodules. Beyond shorter operative and recovery times, the main advantages of RFA include the lack of an incisional scar as well as maximizing the potential for maintenance of normal thyroid function. RFA can significantly reduce nodular volume, achieving rates of 60% to 95% in a breadth of thyroid disease, including benign nodules, primary carcinomas, and recurrent malignancies. Thorough patient counselling is imperative for RFA candidates, including a discussant of complications, nodule regrowth, and the potential for a subsequent ablation session.

Keywords: Ablation; Minimally invasive; RFA; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid nodule.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma* / surgery
Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
Catheter Ablation* / methods
Humans
Radiofrequency Ablation* / methods
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Nodule* / diagnostic imaging
Thyroid Nodule* / pathology
Thyroid Nodule* / surgery
Treatment Outcome