What is Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation?
Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that is used to treat thyroid nodules. The procedure uses ultrasound guided imaging to locate a nodule and insert a small electrode into the nodule. An interventional radiologist allows a controlled amount of energy to flow through the electrode into the target tissue so sustained thermal heat can degenerate the nodule. Your immune system then breaks down the affected tissue, shrinks the nodule and lets the affected tissue flow through the body naturally as waste so thyroid function can be restored.
Why Is the Thyroid Gland Important?
Our brains, hearts and digestive and metabolic systems function normally with the help of one small gland: the thyroid gland. This gland is located at the front of your neck near the base of your throat, wrapping around your windpipe. It is part of the endocrine system and secretes hormones to regulate your body’s heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and metabolism.
About Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are abnormal overgrowths of tissue in the thyroid gland that interfere with its ability to function properly. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign and not life-threatening. However, they can still cause problems, including discomfort, difficulty or pain when swallowing, hoarse voice, production of excess thyroid hormones, swelling and enlargement in the neck.
Why Choose Thyroid RFA Over Surgery?
Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation is a non-surgical, outpatient treatment for undesirable thyroid nodules. Thermal heat causes immediate damage to the nodule, but it only significantly affects tissue within a few millimeters of the electrode. This procedure is a quick and safe option that allows patients to resume normal daily activity with minimal recovery periods.
Save Your Thyroid
Preserves your healthy thyroid tissue, helping the thyroid to function normally without the need for lifetime medication.
Minimally Invasive
A thin needle is used to avoid any surgical scars. No general anesthesia is required, which means no downtime or hospitalization.
Volume Reduction
A major clinical study showed that non-functioning benign nodules shrunk 73% in the first 6 months and up to 93% within 4 years.
While surgery can be effective, it can leave unsightly scarring and the long-term effects of removing the thyroid can be problematic for patients. Patients may develop hypothyroidism following partial thyroid surgery, requiring lifelong medication to supply enough thyroid hormone for your body. This is especially true if you had your entire thyroid gland removed.
Benefits of Thyroid RFA
- Preserves healthy thyroid tissue
- Allows the thyroid to function normally without the need for lifelong medication
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Performed under local anesthesia
- Performed as an outpatient procedure, which means no downtime or hospitalization
- Shorter recovery times
- No scarring
- Low complication rate
- Improves quality of life
Before the Procedure
Your healthcare provider will review any current medications and provide further
instructions if needed. Other than blood thinners, which you will likely need to stop taking a few days prior to the procedure, most medications do not interfere with a Thyroid RFA procedure.
During the Procedure
To begin the procedure, you will be asked to lie your head on a small cushion, with your neck extended. Two grounding pads will be placed on your thighs. Your doctor will clean and prepare the skin and then administer local anesthesia in the area surrounding your thyroid. You will be able to breathe, swallow and speak normally during the entire procedure.
A thin needle electrode will be inserted directly into the nodule and the doctor will allow a carefully controlled amount of energy to flow into the tissue to treat the nodule. Changes to the nodule caused by the treatment can be seen in real-time by the doctors performing the procedure. To ensure that you are handling the procedure well, your doctor may ask you how you are doing and whether you can feel any pain. They can easily adjust if you are uncomfortable at any time.
When the procedure is complete, a small bandage will be placed on the treatment site, and ice packs may be used to cool your neck.
Target
Heat
Reduce
After the Procedure
You will be monitored for a short period of time and then discharged. Please check with your
physician before the procedure regarding driving as you may need someone to drive you to and from the procedure. You should be able to return to most of your day-to-day activities almost immediately.
Risks of Thyroid RFA
All treatments and procedures have risks, and these will be discussed in detail with you by your doctor.
- Minor complications can include skin burn, hematoma and vomiting.
- Major complications are rare but can include: nodule rupture, nodule rupture causing an infection and voice change. The risk of permanent injury to the voice box nerve causing alteration in the voice is less than 1% (1 in 100).
- Larger nodules may require more than one treatment for effective nodule shrinkage. Your doctor will discuss with you the likelihood of needing additional treatments during your initial assessment.
Will the Bulging Go Away?
Following the procedure, the cells of the treated thyroid nodule are removed naturally by the body's immune system. Most patients notice a reduction in nodule size in just 2 to 3 weeks, with solid nodules taking longer than cystic nodules.
The amount of reduction depends on the original size and nature of the nodules. After three
months, the average reduction rate is 40% to 60% and about 60% to 90% reduction rate at the one-year mark.
Years after the procedure, only the scar tissues will remain in the treated area. The nodule around the scar may still remain, but this area will be minimized after the procedure. The surrounding healthy thyroid gland will be preserved and will continue to produce thyroid hormone.
Symptoms like difficulty swallowing, pressure or tightness in the throat, or a bulky nodular
appearance are typically eliminated or significantly reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Thyroid RFA Painful?
Because local anesthesia is administered at the beginning of the procedure, very few patients experience any pain at all. During Thyroid RFA, it’s normal to feel pushing and pressure in the neck, but the procedure generally does not cause pain. Patients occasionally feel heat or discomfort in the neck that may radiate to the ear or jaws. Following your procedure, you will be given ice packs and pain medication if needed. For more questions related to the procedure, please consult directly with your doctor.
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How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
One procedure will sufficiently decrease the size of the nodules and improve symptoms, but if the treated nodules are close to vocal cord nerves or nodules are very large, additional procedures may be necessary to decrease the nodule significantly. The untreated areas of nodules may impede the improvement of thyroid function so that complete ablation may be required, and more than one procedure may be needed.
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Will the Procedure Leave a Scar?
No. The procedure is delivered using a thin needle. There may be small markings on your neck from the needle for 1-2 days following the procedure, but it will not leave any visible scarring.