Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) of Thyroid Nodules
Radio frequency ablation is a non-surgical, scarless procedure to treat thyroid nodules. The thyroid nodule, and only the thyroid nodule, is treated. There is no damage to adjacent thyroid tissue and other healthy thyroid tissue is not removed. There is no need to take thyroid tablets after the procedure.
Prior to the procedure you will need an ultrasound and two ultrasound guided FNA’s (see section on ultrasound guided FNA).
The RFA Procedure
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you are awake, but the skin and the thyroid are numb. Using ultrasound, Dr Francis Hall guides a small probe through the skin into the thyroid nodule. Radiofrequency energy is targeted directly at the nodule. This causes the cells inside the nodule to die.
There may be a little discomfort after the procedure which is easily managed with paracetamol (Panadol) and / or ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory). The procedure is highly effective and is successful over 90% of the time.
If you have an office-based job you can return to work the following day. If you do heavy manual work, I recommend you take the following day off work. This is to minimise the risk of bleeding. Over the subsequent few months, the thyroid nodule shrinks dramatically in size.
Why would you choose RFA? What thyroid nodules are suitable for RFA?
- A benign thyroid nodule that is causing symptoms such as a pressure feeling in the lower neck; the feeling of a lump in the throat; or if you just don’t like the look of the lump in the neck.
- A thyroid nodule that is making too much thyroid hormone (autonomous functioning thyroid nodules / autonomous hot thyroid nodules) are very suitable for RFA.
- Very small thyroid cancers measuring less than 1 cm in size (called microcarcinomas) are also suitable for RFA.
Radiofrequency ablation is suitable for many but not all thyroid nodules. If you are interested in having your thyroid nodule assessed and treated with radiofrequency ablation, contact Dr Francis Hall’s office on 09 281 2963 or email admin@drfrancishall.co.nz
If you have already been assessed elsewhere, would prefer not to have surgery and are seeking a second opinion about your thyroid nodule, contact Dr Francis T. Hall’s office, prior to proceeding with thyroid surgery, to decide if radiofrequency ablation is suitable for you. A telehealth consultation is usually all that is required to make this decision.