Thyroid nodule or thyroid cancer can be treated with various methods applied by interventional radiology. These methods are called minimally invasive procedures. With the developments in modern medicine, treatments that will protect the patient's healthy tissues and damage only the lesion gain importance. These options are:
1. Alcohol ablation method- Ethanol ablation
2.-Radiofrequency ablation method-RF ablation
3. Microwave ablation method: MWA
4. Cryoablation method
Ethanol ablation procedure:
Alcohol ablation method is a method that we prefer mostly in cystic thyroid nodules, that is, in fluid-filled nodules. The contents of the cystic nodule are somewhat evacuated. Then a high concentration of alcohol is introduced into the cyst. The cyst content is evacuated by waiting for a certain period of time.
Radiofrequency ablation and Microwave ablation method: The basic mechanism in these two methods is to cause cellular destruction by heating the thyroid nodule. Local anesthesia is given before the procedure. Under the guidance of ultrasound, a special thyroid needle is placed into the nodule. After a certain size area is destroyed, another area of the nodule is moved. The affected area can be easily followed on ultrasound. Thus, intact thyroid tissue and surrounding nerves are preserved. Depending on the size of the nodule, the duration of the procedure is approximately 20-40 minutes. After the procedure, we observe the patient for 1 hour and then discharge him. The treated nodule shrinks over time. RFA and MWA procedure can be applied to solid as well as solid nodules, cystic nodules and mixed nodules. It can be applied to benign thyroid nodules called benign and indeterminate nodules. It can be applied to papillary cancers that are considered to be in the low risk group.
Cryoablation method:
The application in this method is similar to that in RFA and MWA. In contrast, the needle cools the nodule. After a while, an ice ball forms with clearly defined borders on ultrasound. It causes cellular damage by cooling.
We started to apply RFA, MWA and cryoablation methods in parallel with their use in thyroid in the world. We continue to convey our experiences in these treatments, which we have been applying since 2013, to our patients.
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