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Review
. 2020 Sep 19;6(3):188-193.
doi: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.07.002. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Radiofrequency for benign and malign thyroid lesions

Leonardo Rangel  1 , Leonardo M Volpi  2 , Elaine Stabenow  3 , Jose Higino Steck  4 , Erivelto Volpi  5 , Jonathon O Russell  6 , Ralph P Tufano  6
Affiliations
Review

Radiofrequency for benign and malign thyroid lesions

Leonardo Rangel et al. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Thermal ablation of thyroid nodules is new modality for the management of the benign and malign lesions. This minimally invasive treatment is performed as an outpatient, local anesthetic, single professional procedure that can treat neoplastic lesions without removing normal thyroid tissue and thus avoiding hypothyroidism.

Method: A comprehensive review of the most relevant literature regarding the thermal ablation of benign and malign nodules was performed in order to currently define its role on the management of the nodular thyroid disease. The data was divided into benign and malign literature.

Results: The benign nodules can be effectively treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) but some limitation exists regarding the nodule's size but not nodules characteristics. The RFA of primary malign tumors of the thyroid recently demonstrated positive and safe long-term follow-up and encouraged additional investigation and possibly a definitive role in the management of these low risk nodules.

Conclusion: RFA is a safe, cost-effective minimally invasive procedure that avoids thyroid tissue removal while destroying neoplastic one thus, preventing hypothyroidism.

Keywords: Ablation; Minimally invasive; Nodules; Radiofrequency; Thyroid.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ralph P Tufano, Speaker for Medtronic and Hemostatix. None of the other authors have anything to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Evolution of Thyroid Nodule after RFA A, B: transverse and sagittal sections before RFA, volume of 441 mm3; C, D: transverse and sagittal sections after one month of RFA and volume of 300 mm3; E, F: transverse and sagittal sections after six months of RFA and volume of 98 mm3 and global reduction of 78%.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Evolution of autonomous hypervascularized nodule A: pre-ablation aspect of the thyroid nodule; B: 3rd month aspect of the nodule with reduction with reduction of 75%; C: vascularization aspect before RFA; D: vascularization after RFA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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