Thermal ablation [Microwave ablation] of thyroid nodule(থাইরয়েড নডিউল)

Thyroid nodules are a common medical condition that can lead to significant anxiety for patients. These nodules are mostly non-cancerous lumps that commonly arises within an otherwise normal thyroid gland. The nodules vary in number, size and location; and their precise identification can be done by diagnostic imaging like USG. Characterization of a nodule is done by FNAC (Fine needle aspiration cytology).

Treatment:

The treatment options for thyroid nodules depend on the nature of nodule, size and symptomatology caused by it. These are as follows -

Small non-cancerous nodules which are not causing any symptoms, may simply be monitored by physical examination or by regular ultrasonography. In some cases medical treatment like thyroid hormone suppression therapy may be done to reduce the size of nodule. Thermal ablation [ Radio-frequency or microwave] is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, needle based, day care procedure to shrink or destroy nodules under local anesthesia.
For large symptomatic nodule or malignant nodule, surgical removal may be necessary.
Interventional radiologists play a crucial role in the management of thyroid nodule from diagnosis to characterization and in benign nodules they do non-surgical procedures like radio-frequency or microwave ablation and cure them.
Treating thyroid nodule is a multidisciplinary approach consisting of endocrinologist, interventional radiologist and surgeon to provide a 360 degree care.
To conclude - Thyroid nodules are mostly non-cancerous and very common. These nodules sometime are of concern due to cosmesis and anxiety point of view.

An advanced non-surgical needle based, day care procedure called thermal ablation of thyroid nodule may be considered as an effective treatment without any incision in neck or scar formation