Radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules.
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.
Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Medicina Clinica, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 34149, Trieste, Italy. stella.bernardi@aots.sanita.fvg.it.|SS Endocrinologia (UCO Medicina Clinica), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy. stella.bernardi@aots.sanita.fvg.it.
S
S
Bernardi
SC Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Maggiore Hospital, Piazza dell'Ospitale, Trieste, Italy.
F
F
Stacul
UCO Cardiologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy.
M
M
Zecchin
UCO Chirurgia Generale, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy.
C
C
Dobrinja
Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Medicina Clinica, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 34149, Trieste, Italy.|UCO Anatomia e Istologia Patologica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy.
F
F
Zanconati
Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Medicina Clinica, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 34149, Trieste, Italy.|SS Endocrinologia (UCO Medicina Clinica), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Trieste, Cattinara Teaching Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste, Italy.
B
B
Fabris
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000601:surgery*
Implantable cardioverter-defbrillator; Minimally invasive nonsurgical techniques; Pacemaker; Radiofrequency ablation; Thyroid nodule; Ultrasound-guided procedure