A new, minimally invasive treatment option for thyroid nodules

“Thyroid nodules are very common,” explains Abbey Fingeret, MD. “In fact, more than half of adult women have them. Most are benign, but even benign nodules can cause symptoms. Prior to the adoption of this procedure, the only options for people with this type of thyroid nodule were observation or surgery to remove half of the thyroid gland.”         

While thyroid surgery is very safe overall, it does involve removal of adjacent normal thyroid tissue in addition to the enlarged nodule. This means that after surgery, patients have up to a 30% chance of needing lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. As an alternative, Dr. Fingeret introduced radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to Nebraska Medicine. She has also trained additional colleagues, including Anupam Kotwal, MBBS, Jessica Shank, MD, and Michelle Mulder, MD, in this innovative procedure. 

What to know about RFA:

Minimally Invasive and Outpatient

RFA is performed under sedation and local anesthesia. It treats benign thyroid nodules without surgery, helping patients avoid the risks of surgery and neck scars.

Lower Risk of Complications

• Risk of hypothyroidism: <1% for RFA vs. 30% for thyroid lobectomy.
• Risk of permanent voice change: 0.1% for RFA vs. 1%-2% for thyroid lobectomy.
• Overall complication rate: <0.2%.

Effective Nodule Reduction

• 50% - 70% within 3 to 6 months.
• 70% - 90% volume reduction within 6 to 12 months.
• Less than 10% of patients experience minimal regrowth of their nodule after nadir volume reduction.

Who May Benefit from RFA

• Adults with toxic or benign symptomatic thyroid nodules, including:
  • Visible thyroid nodules.
  • Neck pressure.
  • Dysphagia
  • Dysphonia).
  • Tracheal deviation or compression.
• Contraindications:
  • Patients with cardiac pacemakers.
  • Pregnant patients.
  • Patients unable to tolerate conscious sedation due to comorbidities, contralateral vocal cord paralysis.