Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules may be cystic, colloid, hyperplastic, adenomatous or cancerous. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign and they are often asymptomatic. There may be a single thyroid nodule (solitary nodule) or multiple thyroid nodules (multinodular goitre). Thyroid nodules can cause an overactive thyroid, which affects the normal production of thyroxine or triiodothyronine.

Treatment of benign thyroid nodules may be necessary if they are symptomatic or causing cosmetic problems. Conventional treatment includes suppressive levothyroxine therapy or surgery. More recently, other approaches that are less invasive than conventional surgery have been introduced, such as ethanol ablation and percutaneous laser ablation.