Thyroid nodules are firm or fluid-filled lumps that occur within your thyroid, a tiny gland located at the base of your neck, slightly above your breastbone. Most thyroid nodules aren’t dangerous and don’t create symptoms and only a small fraction of thyroid nodules are cancerous. You may not know that you have a thyroid nodule until your doctor discovers it during a routine medical checkup. However, some thyroid nodules may become large enough to be visible or make swallowing or breathing difficulties. We have the 4 best practices for the treatment of thyroid nodules, read on.
Thyroid nodules are commonly benign, but if they develop large enough to cause symptoms by pressing on muscles in the neck, they can provide patients with a tough decision:
- Go through surgery to clear part or all of the thyroid, which includes general anesthesia, incisions, and likely taking thyroid hormone supplements for the rest of their lives, or
- Suffer from the symptoms
There is now an excellent alternative to surgery: thyroid radiofrequency ablation, a technique that utilizes heat to reduce nodules from the inside. There is no need for surgery or lifetime hormone medication, and no scar is left with this procedure.
Let’s take a look at 4 best practices to treat thyroid nodules using Thyroid RFA.
1. Use Of Local Anesthesia For Pain Control
It is critical to inject enough lidocaine into the skin puncture site and thyroid capsule during Thyroid RFA to alleviate pain. Instead of employing general anesthesia or sedation, a perithyroidal lidocaine injection is recommended to manage pain during ablation.
2. Use Trans-Isthmic And Moving-Shot Technique
A radiofrequency electrode is inserted in the trans-isthmic technique to reach the target nodule in either the right or left thyroid gland. However, in the moving-shot technique, the target nodule is virtually divided into several small ablation units, and ablation is performed unit-by-unit, from the deepest and remotest area of the nodule to the most superficial part of the nodule by pulling back the electrode tip.
3. For recurrent thyroid cancers, use hydro-dissection and moving-shot technique
In the case of recurrent thyroid cancer, a thorough examination of the tumor and surrounding structures is essential. Along with perilesional lidocaine injection, the hydro-dissection approach is most effective for isolating the tumor from critical structures.
4. If the nodule shows marginal regrowth, additional treatment is recommended
Additional therapy may be necessary depending on the size and location of the nodule. In addition, it may be recommended if the nodule shows marginal recurrence or if cosmetic or symptomatic issues remain unresolved.
Thyroid RFA should only be performed in hospitals or clinics with skilled thyroid RFA experts and facilities. RFA for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules has the benefits of definite efficacy, large volume reduction of the ablation lesion, high absorption rate, and reduced harm to the surrounding normal tissue when performed correctly. RFA is an excellent first-line treatment for anaplastic thyroid nodules because it doesn’t require any incisions and can match the utmost aesthetic needs of patients. In some cases, it can replace conventional surgical removal of benign thyroid nodules.
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Disclaimer: None of the information posted is intended as medical, legal, or business advice, or advice about reimbursement for health care services.
Related Categories: Thyroid Disease