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

Abstract

Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to treat patients with benign thyroid nodules and is a good alternative to thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine. Thyroid RFA is commonly performed with local lidocaine or minimal/moderate sedation and has a minimal risk profile and few side effects. The efficacy of thyroid RFA has been well documented in the literature, with a volume reduction rate of 67 to 75% at 1 year. Another emerging technique for nodule size reduction is thyroid artery embolization which is a minimally invasive procedure that may be performed in patients with nodular goiters, particularly with substernal thyroid nodule extension, and who are either poor surgical candidates or do not want surgery. This article reviews thyroid RFA, focusing on the relevant preprocedural, procedural, and postprocedural imaging, as well as a discussion on the emerging role of thyroid artery embolization.