Thyroid nodules are often asymptomatic and can develop for several reasons, such as:
- Iodine deficiency in the diet
- Excessive growth of thyroid tissue
- Thyroiditis
- Presence of tumors
- Generally they are solid, liquid or mixed formations (on average benign).
There are different techniques and methodologies for treatment, but more and more often the focus is on reducing the number of surgical interventions related to thyroid nodules and making them less invasive.
This happens thanks to “tailored surgery” or surgery tailored to the pathology and the patient, seeking less invasive solutions such as thermoablation, or surgical interventions that “remove” the scar from the neck, hiding it in regions where it is not visible, with the aid of robotic surgery.
Specifically, thyroid thermoablation allows the treatment of benign nodules without resorting to traditional surgery.
It leaves no scar and preserves the function of the thyroid gland almost always intact, so that the patient will not have to start replacement therapy with thyroid hormone.
There are different types of thermal ablation based on the nodule to be treated:
- Laser thermoablation: indicated to treat benign lesions of the thyroid, such as cold nodules or single nodules in the context of a multinodular goiter
- Radiofrequency thermoablation: indicated for the treatment of solid or partially cystic benign nodules of the thyroid.
- Microwave thermoablation: indicated for nodules within 3 – 3.5 centimetres
It is considered a valid alternative to classic surgery with numerous advantages, because:
- There is no need for general anesthesia
- It leaves no scars
- The thyroid gland is not removed
- It is performed in day hospital
- There is no prolonged hospitalization
- There is a rapid recovery
