title: Thermal ablation for benign thyroid nodules: radiofrequency and laser.
abstract: Although ethanol ablation has been successfully used to treat cystic thyroid nodules, this procedure is less effective when the thyroid nodules are solid. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation, a newer procedure used to treat malignant liver tumors, has been valuable in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules regardless of the extent of the solid component. This article reviews the basic physics, techniques, applications, results, and complications of thyroid RF ablation, in comparison to laser ablation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea. radbaek@naver.com
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valcavi
authors.forename: Claudio M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pacella
authors.forename: Hyunchul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Dong Gyu
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Na
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography