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Thyroid Ablation: A Safe and Effective Way to Manage Thyroid Nodules

Managing enlarged nodules by knowing the Safety and Efficacy Of Thyroid Radio Frequency Ablation is important. It can improve patient outcomes for a variety of thyroid issues, such as cold nodules, hot nodules, small TNs, large TNs, and hyperthyroidism.

Its non-invasive, non-surgical nature makes RF ablation preferable for both medical practitioners and patients alike.

Exploring Safety And Efficacy Of Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation

Clinical research has demonstrated radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules to be effective in several aspects, such as:

Cosmetic Side Effects Of Thyroid RFA

Thyroid ablation is preferable to other thyroid nodule procedures when it comes to cosmetic effects. In fact, the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism discovered that RFA therapy received a higher cosmetic score for every patient that underwent it in a 2015 study.

Lower Complication Risk

While thermal ablation is effective in reducing TN size by as much as 69%, according to a 12-month follow-up.

88% of patients reduced their compressive symptoms completely. 100% of patients with pre-toxic thyroid nodules completely eliminated compressive symptoms and eliminated methimazole therapy.

79% of patients had their hypothyroidism eliminated. Furthermore, no hospitalizations or complications were observed during the study. Thus, not only is efficacy indicated, but safety is clearly demonstrated for thyroid ablation compared to alternatives like thyroidectomies and invasive thyroid surgery.

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RFA For Thyroids Is A Straightforward Outpatient Therapy

As an outpatient procedure, noninvasive thermal ablation therapy provides persistent TN shrinkage while reducing compressive symptoms. It also comes with a lower risk of complications than typical surgery. This is according to the Clinical Journal of the Society for Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society of Australia in a 2017 study.

Recovery Rate Of 99.8%

After reviewing 1543 nodules that underwent RFA, only 3.3% of patients experienced complications. Of those complications, only 1.3% of the complications were major. Still, across the board, 99.8% of patients achieved a full spontaneous recovery.

Strength Of Clinical Research

RFA is no longer unknown in the world of thyroid therapy. For over 20 years, there has been clinical evidence suggesting that RFA prevents thyroid neoplasia. The European Thyroid Journal reviewed decades of clinical thermal ablation procedures. It found that major and minor complications are significantly rare.

The organization does suggest that operators use the proper image-guided therapy tools and undergo dedicated training for this procedure.

Thyroid RF Ablation Technique And Best Practices

It’s true that thyroid radiofrequency ablation is a very safe, non-invasive therapy for treating benign and some forms of malignant thyroid nodules. That being said, any medical procedure must be done with care and attention to detail.

When it comes to RF therapy, the moving shot technique is considered the golden standard for effective, safe patient outcomes. Let’s explain how this procedure works step by step.

  1. Identify the patient’s thyroid nodule using the handheld ultrasound probe. You can use a needle guide to assist in maintaining the probe on the same plane during the ablation. This allows full visibility with your ultrasound imaging and accuracy with the probe.
  2. Before beginning the moving shot technique, use the electrode needle to penetrate the patient’s skin and enter the thyroid nodule.
  3. Move the needle back and forth with slow, methodical motions. Ablate the peripheral portion of the nodule first, moving the needle back slowly and watching the ultrasound monitor for a bubbling effect. This indicates that that portion of the nodule has been ablated.
  4. Repeat this process on each plane from posterior to anterior. Do a longitudinal scan to verify the correct location for ablation. Before continuing the moving shot technique, move from the lower pole plane to the upper pole plane, ensuring that you ablate the entire nodule.

By using the moving shot technique above, you can avoid damaging critical structures of over-ablating tissue that is healthy.

Contact us at RGS Healthcare for additional information on techniques and equipment.

Thyroid Radio Frequency Ablation

Additional Information On RFA Therapy For Thyroid Nodules

 

  • Immediately after the procedure has been performed, place ice on the patient’s neck. This reduces pain and inflammation.
  • Be sure to use local anesthesia before beginning the shot technique.
  • Keep the patient in the medical center for around 20 minutes to monitor their vital signs.
  • Schedule follow-ups. Aim to see the patient for follow-ups at the 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month increments. Ideally, you should observe thyroid nodules through the first 12 months and even through the first 24 months.
  • Address any potential complications.
  • Hormone supplementation is typically not required after RFA therapy. Furthermore, hyperthyroidism is almost completely eliminated after undergoing RFA.

Complications Of The Thyroid RF Ablation Procedure

While the complication rate is incredibly low, every medical operation has risks. Firstly, do not rush the procedure. Larger thyroid nodules that need more ablation may take longer.

Maintain full visibility on your monitor to ensure critical structures are untouched and, therefore, undamaged with the electrode probe.

Specifically, this includes the internal jugular veins, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and columnar arteries. If the patient has a thyroid nodule that extends into their chest, then RFA may not be appropriate or safe.

Furthermore, if a patient has a pacemaker or is currently pregnant, RFA is not recommended.

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Additional Information On RFA Therapy For Thyroid Nodules

  • Immediately after the procedure has been performed, place ice on the patient’s neck. This reduces pain and inflammation.
  • Be sure to use local anesthesia before beginning the shot technique.
  • Keep the patient in the medical center for around 20 minutes to monitor their vital signs.
  • Schedule follow-ups. Aim to see the patient for follow-ups at the 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month increments. Ideally, you should observe thyroid nodules through the first 12 months and even through the first 24 months.
  • Address any potential complications.
  • Hormone supplementation is typically not required after RFA therapy. Furthermore, hyperthyroidism is almost completely eliminated after undergoing RFA.

Complications Of The Thyroid RF Ablation Procedure

While the complication rate is incredibly low, every medical operation has risks. Firstly, do not rush the procedure. Larger thyroid nodules that need more ablation may take longer.

Maintain full visibility on your monitor to ensure critical structures are untouched and, therefore, undamaged with the electrode probe.

Specifically, this includes the internal jugular veins, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and columnar arteries. If the patient has a thyroid nodule that extends into their chest, then RFA may not be appropriate or safe.

Furthermore, if a patient has a pacemaker or is currently pregnant, RFA is not recommended.

Proper Qualifications For Thyroid Ablation

Only qualified doctors should perform thyroid ablation to reduce patient risk. This includes physicians, general surgeons, interventional radiologists, head surgeons, neck surgeons, and endocrinologists.

Learn More About Non-Surgical Thyroid Nodule Treatment Today

Reach out to RGS Healthcare today if you’re interested in treating your patients for enhanced outcomes and reduced risks.

At RGS Healthcare, we provide state-of-the-art equipment, such as RF generators and imaging systems, to ensure safe and effective procedures. Reach out today to learn more about how you can transform your healthcare center’s ability to improve your thyroid nodule treatments.