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Collected Research

Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid drug (ATD) is often the first-line treatment but > 50% patients suffer a relapse when ATD is discontinued. Surgery or radioiodine remains the current options of definitive treatment in these patients. This pilot study examined the short-term efficacy of single-session thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a novel definitive treatment for persistent/relapsed GD.
• Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland is an efficacious treatment for persistent/relapsed Graves' disease in well-selected patients.
• Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland for the treatment of persistent/relapsed Graves' disease is a safe and well-tolerated ambulatory procedure.
• Radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland may be a potential alternative treatment for well-selected patients with persistent/relapsed GD who do not wish to undergo either thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine or continue antithyroid drugs.

Efficacy of single-session radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in rendering euthyroidism for persistent/relapsed Graves' disease, a pilot study

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Image-guided thermal ablations are commonly used in the treatment of thyroid nodules. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation are the most commonly used. Here we aimed to obtain solid evidence of the long-term efficacy of RFA and laser ablation in benign non-functioning solid thyroid nodules (BNFSTN).

Efficacy of thermal ablation in benign non-functioning solid thyroid nodule: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Thyroid nodules are common in the general population, and most are benign. Thyroidectomy remains the most common treatment for symptomatic benign thyroid nodular disease. The objective of this study is to determine if a novel, cell-specific, nonthermal modality called nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA) can provide a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic thyroid nodules.

First-in-Human Clinical Feasibility Study of Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules Using Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation

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Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for thyroid nodules; however, concerns exist regarding its impact on subsequent thyroid surgery. We compared surgical outcomes and complications between patients undergoing thyroidectomy after radiofrequency ablation (post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group) and those without prior radiofrequency ablation (non-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group).

From ablation to operation: Unraveling the surgical outcomes and complications of thyroidectomy after radiofrequency ablation

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Background: The primary goal of this interdisciplinary consensus statement is to provide a framework for the safe adoption and implementation of ablation technologies for benign thyroid nodules.

This consensus statement is organized around three key themes:
(1) safety of ablation techniques and their implementation,
(2) optimal skillset criteria for proceduralists performing ablative procedures, and
(3) defining expectations of success for this treatment option given its unique risks and benefits.

Ablation safety considerations in pre-procedural, peri-procedural, and post-procedural settings are discussed, including clinical factors related to patient selection and counseling, anesthetic and technical considerations to optimize patient safety, peri-procedural risk mitigation strategies, post-procedural complication management, and safe follow-up practices. Prior training, knowledge, and steps that should be considered by any physician who desires to incorporate thyroid nodule ablation into their practice are defined and discussed. Examples of successful clinical practice implementation models of this emerging technology are provided.

General Principles for the Safe Performance, Training, and Adoption of Ablation Techniques for Benign Thyroid Nodules: An American Thyroid Association Statement

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Currently the evaluation of the thyroid nodules is covered by insurance companies. However, radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules is new and is not considered a recognized benefit. As the exciting success of thyroid RFA is recognized, the insurance companies are paying and reimbursing more frequently.

This therapy will save the patient and the entire healthcare system a considerable amount of money. As the healthcare community and patients continue to advocate for this non-surgical solution of benign thyroid nodules, the availability to utilize insurance healthcare benefits will increase.

You should demand an appeal to an insurance coverage denial.

Insurance Authorization Letter for Radiofrequency Ablation of the Thyroid Gland

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Thyroid nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland. The majority are benign (not cancerous) and this must be determined using appropriate diagnostic tests. In this procedure, a small probe is inserted through the skin into a benign nodule in the neck and an electrical current is used to heat and destroy the nodule.

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive technique that aims to reduce symptoms and improve cosmetic appearance, while preserving thyroid function, and with fewer complications than surgery. Before treatment, the thyroid nodule is confirmed as benign, typically by the use of 2 fine-needle aspiration biopsies. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules is usually done using local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting. The patient is placed in the supine position with moderate neck extension. A radiofrequency electrode is inserted into the nodule using ultrasound guidance to visualise the electrode during the procedure. Once in position, the radiofrequency electrode is activated to heat and destroy the tissue.

Interventional procedure overview of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules

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Objective:
To determine the number of total thyroidectomies per surgeon per year associated with the lowest risk of complications.

Background:
The surgeon volume-outcome association has been established for thyroidectomy; however, a threshold number of cases defining a "high-volume" surgeon remains unclear.

Methods:
Adults undergoing total thyroidectomy were identified from the Health Care Utilization Project-National Inpatient Sample (1998-2009). Multivariate logistic regression with restricted cubic splines was utilized to examine the association between the number of annual total thyroidectomies per surgeon and risk of complications.

Is There a Minimum Number of Thyroidectomies a Surgeon Should Perform to Optimize Patient Outcomes?

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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) seems to achieve a significantly larger nodule volume reduction rate (VRR) than laser ablation (LA) in benign nonfunctioning thyroid nodules (BNTNs).

Objective:
To compare the efficacy and safety of both treatments at 12-month follow-up in patients with solid or predominantly solid BNTN.

Methods:
This was a single-center, 12-month, randomized, superiority, open-label, parallel-group trial conducted in an outpatient clinic. Sixty patients with a solitary BNTN or dominant nodule characterized by pressure symptoms/cosmetic problems were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either a single session of RFA or LA. Twenty-9 patients per group completed the study. The main outcome measures were VRR and proportion of nodules with more than 50% reduction (technical success rate).

Laser Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules: 12-Month Results of a Randomized Trial (LARA II Study)

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Background: Ultrasound-guided thermal ablations have become one of the main options for treating benign thyroid nodules. To determine efficacy of thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules, we performed a meta-analysis of studies with long-term follow-up of more than 3 years.

Methods: Databases were searched for studies published up to August 25, 2019, reporting patients with benign thyroid nodules treated with thermal ablation and with follow-up data of more than 3 years. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The analysis yielded serial volume reduction rates (VRRs) of ablated nodules for up to 3 years or more, and adverse effect of ablation during follow-up. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (LA) were compared in a subgroup analysis.

Results: The pooled VRRs for ablated nodules showed rapid volume reduction before 12 months, a plateau from 12 to 36 months, and more volume reduction appearing after 36 months, demonstrating long-term maintenance of treatment efficacy. Thermal ablation had an acceptable complication rate of 3.8%. Moreover, patients undergoing nodule ablation showed no unexpected delayed complications during the follow-up period. In the subgroup analysis, RFA was shown to be superior to LA in terms of the pooled VRR and the number of patients who underwent delayed surgery.

Long-Term Results of Thermal Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Background: Nearly 20 years after the first feasibility study, minimally invasive ultrasound (US)-guided therapeutic techniques are now considered as a safe and effective alternative to surgery for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the most widely used treatment in specialized thyroid centers but, due to the relatively recent introduction into clinical practice, there are limited long-term follow-up studies. Aim of our work was to review the outcomes of RFA on solid nonfunctioning and on autonomous thyroid nodules (AFTN) on a long-time period for assessing the results in term of efficacy, complications, and costs and to compare them to the current indications of RFA.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using EMBASE and Medline library data between 2008 and 2021. Seventeen studies evaluated RFA for the treatment of benign solid (nonfunctioning or autonomous) thyroid nodules, with an at least 18 months of follow-up. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two endocrinologist according to PRISMA guidelines. Anthropometric data, safety and efficacy parameters were collected.

Results: The majority of the studies was retrospective study and reported 933 nodules, mostly solid. Baseline volume ranged between 6.1 ± 9.6 and 36.3 ± 59.8 ml. Local analgesia was used and the time duration of the treatment was between 5 ± 2 and 22.1 ± 10.9 min. The volume reduction rate at 12 months ranged from 67% to 75% for the nodule treated with a single procedure and reached to 93.6 ± 9.7% for nodules treated with repeat ablations. The regrowth rate at 12 months ranged from 0% to 34%.

Long-Term Results of Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: State of the Art and Future Perspectives-A Systematic Review

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The short-term effects of microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) were satisfactory in previous studies. However, as a slowly progressing disease, the long-term efficacy of MWA for BTNs at present is not clear. Our study aim was to assess the long-term results of MWA for BTNs after a 48-month follow-up. Based on a long-term follow-up, MWA is an effective method for treating BTNs and is expected to be a potential first-line treatment.

Long-term outcome of Microwave Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: Over 48-month follow-up study

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