Update on the role of ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodule treatment

Abstract

Thyroid nodules can be frequently detected in general population, most of them are benign, however malignant cases are rising in the past decades. Ultrasound (US) is the most common imaging modality to assess thyroid nodular lesions, plan patient work-up and guide minimally invasive treatment. The present review paper has been researched to evaluate the current status of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment in order to evaluate indications, techniques, complications, limitations and outcome assessment in benign solid, partially cystic nodules and recurrent malignant nodules. RFA comparison with other ablation techniques has been provided as well. US guided Radiofrequency ablation has been proved to be effective and safe in cases of benign thyroid nodules and a promising treatment method alternative to surgery for patients with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer. It's major role lies in significant reduction of thyroid nodule mean volume and improvement of the patient symptoms. However, future multicenter studies are warranted to better clarify the multi-parametric patient selection criteria and evaluate RFA technique efficacy, advantages and limitations in the variety of thyroid nodular disease.

Description

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 IJS Publishing Group Ltd

Keywords

Radiofrequency ablation, Radiofrequency thermal ablation, RFA, Thyroid, Thyroid gland, Thyroid nodule, Ultrasonography, Ultrasound, 3.2 Clinical medicine, 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database, Surgery, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Citation

Radzina, M, Cantisani, V, Rauda, M, Nielsen, M B, Ewertsen, C, D'Ambrosio, F, Prieditis, P & Sorrenti, S 2017, 'Update on the role of ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodule treatment', International Journal of Surgery, vol. 41, pp. S82-S93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.02.010