Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules—Expanding Treatment Options in the United States

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has only recently gained popularity in the United States for treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs), with a limited number of patients having undergone the procedure in this country. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RFA of TNs performed in an outpatient setting in the United States. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center study of 53 patients who underwent RFA of 58 TNs between November 2018 and January 2021. The reduction in volume of nodule, cosmetic and symptomatic improvement, effect on thyroid function, and complications following RFA were assessed. Results: Eleven out of 53 patients were excluded from the analysis. A total of 47 benign TNs (23 nonfunctioning thyroid nodules [NFTNs] and 24 autonomously functioning thyroid nodules [AFTNs]), were assessed after RFA. The median reduction in volume was 70.8% after a median follow-up period of 109 days, with symptomatic and cosmetic improvement (P