Thermal ablation using radiofrequency is a new, minimally invasive modality employed as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. The Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature, the results of multicenter studies, and expert consensus.

This study confirmed that radiofrequency ablation is effective for reducing nodule volume and relieving nodule-related clinical problems and that an effect due to spontaneous nodule reduction can be excluded owing to the results of the comparison with a similar control group.

Single-session RF ablation showed significant volume reduction and satisfactory clinical response in most patients. Therefore, additional RF ablation should be limited to patients with a large nodule (>20 mL) or unresolved clinical problems.