Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules: which indications? The first Italian opinion statement

Nodular thyroid disease is a very common finding in clinical practice, discovered by ultrasound (US) in about 50 % of the general population, with higher prevalence in women and in the elderly [1–4].
Whereas therapeutic flowchart is quite established and shared for malignant lesions, multiple options are now available for patients presenting with benign thyroid nodules, ranging from simple clinical and US follow-up to thyroid surgery. The majority of thyroid nodules, benign by fine-needle aspiration, are asymptomatic, stable, or slow-growing over time and require no treatment.
Nevertheless, large thyroid nodules may become responsible for pressure symptoms, resulting in neck discomfort, cosmetic complaints, and decreased quality of life. Partial/total thyroid surgery has so far constituted the only therapeutic approach for these. Although surgery is widely available, highly effective, and safe in skilled centers, complications (both temporary and permanent) still occur in 2–10 % of cases [5, 6]. Hypothyroidism is an unavoidable effect after total thyroidectomy, requiring lifelong l-thyroxine replacement therapy. Besides, surgery is expensive and may be not recommended for high-risk patients or refused by others.
Conclusion
Citation
Garberoglio, R., Aliberti, C., Appetecchia, M., Attard, M., Boccuzzi, G., Boraso, F., Borretta, G., Caruso, G., Deandrea, M., Freddi, M., Gallone, G., Gandini, G., Gasparri, G., Gazzera, C., Ghigo, E., Grosso, M., Limone, P., Maccario, M., Mansi, L., Mormile, A., … Zingrillo, M. (2015). Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules: which indications? The first Italian opinion statement. Journal of ultrasound, 18(4), 423–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-015-0169-y
Key Words
thyroid nodules, radiofrequency ablation, RFA, ultrasound