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Microwave ablation (MWA) for thyroid nodules: a new string to the bow for percutaneous treatments?

Thyroid nodules are a fairly common finding in general population and, even if most of them are benign, a treatment can be however necessary. In the last years, non surgical minimally invasive techniques have been developed to treat this pathology, starting from percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), to laser ablation (LA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and, most recently, microwave ablation (MWA). Most recently, microwave ablation (MWA) has been proposed to treat thyroid nodules, taking experience from its use in other organs like liver, kidney and lung in particular (9). MWA has the following advantages respect to RFA: reduction in treatment time, larger ablation zone, less heat sink effect (10). Aim of this review article was to evaluate all the studies concerning thyroid MWA, with a particular focus on safety and efficacy of the procedure and on results compared to RFA.

Morelli F, Sacrini A, Pompili G, et al. Microwave ablation for thyroid nodules: a new string to the bow for percutaneous treatments?. Gland Surg. 2016;5(6):553-558. doi:10.21037/gs.2016.12.07

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MicroWave Ablation (MWA) is a new, promising technique among the minimally invasive treatments of thyroid nodules. Actually, the larger diameter of MW antenna seems to be the major limiting factor in the use of this technique. More studies are necessary to evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Ablation techniques; microwaves; thyroid nodule

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