Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules:

RFA is a safe procedure when performed by experienced operators. Previous guidelines and studies, including meta-analyses, have shown that RFA is a safe procedure for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and has a low incidence of complications.[10,31] The overall complication rate was reported as 2.11% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–3.06) and the major complication rate was 1.27% (95% CI, 0.81–1.73).[10] Previous studies have shown that RFA performed by trained radiologists, using a unified protocol and similar devices, is safe for treating benign thyroid nodules. They defined an experienced operator as one who has successfully completed >50 thyroid RFAs.[12] These are the first thyroid RFA guidelines developed by an international academic society. They are based on an analysis of the similarities and differences among five guidelines from different countries and the expert opinion of the ACTA taskforce members. Unresolved issues in these guidelines require further evaluation and discussion.