High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new thermoablation technique used to treat benign thyroid nodules. In this method, the ultrasound beam passes through the patient's skin and focuses very precisely on the target lesion at a distance far from the source of ultrasound generation, making HIFU the only truly non-invasive method of thermoablation developed to date. HIFU is therefore an attractive alternative to surgery and other thermoablative techniques. This review describes the principles of HIFU treatment, the selection of patients suitable for HIFU, the course and effects of treatment, and future perspectives.