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Collected Research

In the thyroid gland, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is being applied to both benign nodules and cancers internationally, while interest is also growing in the West. Benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) may be candidates for intervention when symptoms develop. For differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC), surgery is currently the first-line treatment. However, for candidates with high surgical risk or those who refuse to undergo repeated surgery, newer techniques such as RFA are an option. Surgery is associated with complications including hypothyroidism, voice change, hypocalcemia, and a scar. RFA has been used in Asian and European institutions as an alternative to surgery, but is relatively new in North America. Although RFA is not associated with significant complications, few randomized control trials have assessed its efficacy. The studies to date suggest a low rate of severe complications and a small need for thyroid hormone replacement following RFA. Further large-scale studies focusing on a Western population are needed. The aim of this review is to evaluate the evidence with respect to the current studies and data about the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for the management of BTNs and DTC.

Radiofrequency ablation and thyroid nodules: updated systematic review

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Benign thyroid nodules are an extremely common occurrence. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is gaining ground as an effective technique for their treatment, in case they become symptomatic. Here we review what are the current indications to RFA, its outcomes in terms of efficacy, tolerability, and cost, and also how it compares to the other conventional and experimental treatment modalities for benign thyroid nodules. Moreover, we will also address the issue of treating with this technique patients with cardiac pacemakers (PM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), as it is a rather frequent occurrence that has never been addressed in detail in the literature.

Radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules

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Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating of benign thyroid nodules. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis included the results of treatment of 450 patients with benign tumors of the thyroid gland in the Samara Oncology Center. 91 (20.2%) patients had autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and 359 (79.8%) had symptomatic ones. The mean volume of nodule was 33.5 (4.1–179.5).

Radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules: 450 patients - three years follow-up

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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.

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

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Background: Thyroid nodules (TNs) usually appearing in the general population have the potential possibility of malignant transformation and common problems of jugular oppression such as dyspnea and hoarseness. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficiency of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of benign TNs in accord with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statements. Methods: Published literatures were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus up to January 27, 2016. Pooled standard mean difference with 95% confidence interval was estimated by fixed- or random-effects model depending on heterogeneity, which was calculated using the Cochran Q, τ2, and I2 statistics. The quality of the articles was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Meta-analysis of data from 1090 patients with 1406 benign TNs in 20 articles showed that with the subgroup stratified by nodule volume, they were significantly decreased at 1, 3, 6, 12, and the last follow-up months, when comparing post-RFA with the initial nodule volume. In addition, the volume also notably declined by cold and hot nodules. By subgrouping into the largest diameter, symptom score, cosmetic score, thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine level, and vascularity, the pooled data indicated that there was a decrease in largest diameter, symptom score, cosmetic score, triiodothyronine level, and vascular scale, an unchanged free thyroxine, and an increased thyrotropin level after RFA. The publication bias for this particular study is presented in the following groups: nodule volume reduction at 6 months and last follow-up month after RFA and symptom score.

Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes

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Radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules aims to achieve a volume reduction rate of ≥50%. However, factors that predict treatment success have not been defined in a large-scale study.

Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: A prospective, multi-institutional North American experience

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This study evaluated the safety and volume reduction of ultrasonography (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules, and the factors affecting the results obtained. A total of 302 benign thyroid nodules in 236 euthyroid patients underwent RFA between June 2002 and January 2005. RFA was carried out using an internally cooled electrode under local anesthesia. The volume-reduction ratio (VRR) was assessed by US and safety was determined by observing the complications during the followup period (1–41 months). The correlation between the VRR and several factors (patient age, volume and composition of the index nodule) was evaluated. The volume of index nodules was 0.11–95.61 ml (mean, 6.13±9.59 ml). After ablation, the volume of index nodules decreased to 0.00–26.07 ml (mean, 1.12±2.92 ml) and the VRR was 12.52–100% (mean, 84.11±14.93%) at the last follow-up. A VRR greater than 50% was observed in 91.06% of nodules, and 27.81% of index nodules disappeared.

Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: safety and imaging follow-up in 236 patients

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The present "Good Clinical Practice Recommendations" relate to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) training, execution, and quality control, as well as to pre- and postinterventional standards of care. They are aimed at all physicians who intend to learn to perform, or who are already conducting RFA interventions as well as at thyroid specialists providing pre- and postoperative care to RFA patients in Austria. Adoption of these recommendations is strongly encouraged by the afore-listed professional associations. All RFA interventionists who adhere to these standards shall be listed on a homepage linked to these professional associations entitled "RFA centers in compliance with the GCP recommendations of the ÖSDG/OGNMB/ÖGES/OEGCH-ACE." This will ensure harmonization of RFA training and quality control in the performance of the treatment in Austria.

Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules: "Good Clinical Practice Recommendations" for Austria

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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 < 0.0001). Compared with larger nodules, smaller nodules had greater volume reduction (P = 0.0266). RFA improved thyrotropin (TSH) in AFTNs (P value = 0.0015) and did not affect TSH in NFTNs (P value = 0.23). There were no major complications; however, 1 patient had self-limited local bleeding and another had transient voice change that recovered in 6 months. Suggestion: Download the full article to include in Insurance Appeal documents

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

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We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers

Safety of radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Objective: To develop evidence-based recommendations for safe, effective, and appropriate thyroidectomy. Background: Surgical management of thyroid disease has evolved considerably over several decades leading to variability in rendered care. Over 100,000 thyroid operations are performed annually in the US. Methods: The medical literature from 1/1/1985 to 11/9/2018 was reviewed by a panel of 19 experts in thyroid disorders representing multiple disciplines. The authors used the best available evidence to construct surgical management recommendations. Levels of evidence were determined using the American College of Physicians grading system, and management recommendations were discussed to consensus. Members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons reviewed and commented on preliminary drafts of the content.

The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Guidelines for the Definitive Surgical Management of Thyroid Disease in Adults

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The objective of this disease state clinical review is to provide clinicians with a summary of the nonsurgical, minimally invasive approaches to managing thyroid nodules/malignancy, including their indications, efficacy, side effects, and outcomes.

The Clinical Utility of Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures in the Management of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions

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