Benign Thyroid Nodule Interventions: A Review and Imaging Considerations for the Interventional Radiologist

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Benign thyroid nodules are common and can be treated with surgery or radioactive iodine.
• Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) presents a minimally invasive alternative with a favorable risk profile.
• Thyroid artery embolization is an emerging technique for nodule size reduction, especially for substernal goiters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules.
• To discuss the preprocedural, procedural, and postprocedural imaging relevant to RFA.
• To explore the emerging role of thyroid artery embolization in managing thyroid nodules.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on thyroid RFA and thyroid artery embolization.
• Focus on imaging techniques used in RFA procedures.
• Discussion of clinical applications and patient selection for both procedures.

Main Results:

• Thyroid RFA demonstrates significant efficacy, achieving 67-75% volume reduction at 1 year.
• RFA is a safe procedure with minimal side effects, often performed under local anesthesia or sedation.
• Thyroid artery embolization is a viable option for patients unsuitable for surgery.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid RFA is a well-established, effective, and safe minimally invasive treatment for benign thyroid nodules.
• Thyroid artery embolization is an emerging minimally invasive option for specific patient populations with nodular goiters.
• Both RFA and embolization offer alternatives to traditional thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy.