IRCC offering Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation, a minimally invasive treatment used to reduce the size of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules.

What does Thyroid Ablation mean?

Thyroid nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland, which are usually benign. If large enough, benign nodules can cause symptoms of pressure in the neck and difficulty in swallowing due to their size. They may also produce a visible or palpable swelling in the neck.
Radiofrequency ablation reduces the size of benign thyroid nodules. The technique uses a special needle which is guided into the thyroid nodules under ultrasound guidance. An electric current is passed through the needle tip, heating the thyroid tissue immediately around it.
This heating damages the nodular tissue and over time reduces its size. The procedure is carried out with the patient awake and the area is anaesthetised with local anaesthetic so all the patient feels is pushing in the neck. The procedure takes 20-40 minutes depending on the size of the nodule. The maximum reduction in the size of the nodule is achieved at 6 months

Benign thyroid nodules

This treatment is used to treat benign thyroid nodules that cause:

• Compressive symptoms ( difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing or a significant neck lump)

• Hyper functioning thyroid nodule (a nodule that produces excess thyroid hormone)

How can Ablation help?

The aim of this treatment is to reduce the size of the nodular thyroid tissue in order to help with pressure symptoms or a visible swelling in the neck.

What should I expect after ablation?

Pain after procedure which wears off quickly. Patients are usually discharged home 30 minutes following the procedure. The thyroid gradually reduces in size over the first month with an expectation that by 1 month following the procedure the treated nodule will reduce in size by 40-60 %. This reduction in volume continues and is maximal 6 months post procedure.

Some patients with large nodules may benefit from more than one course of treatment to reduce the size of their nodule.