Thyroid RFA involves inserting a needle through the skin under ultrasound guidance in to a nodule that is thought to be causing local symptoms or cosmetic distress. The needle is attached to a radiofrequency generator (a power source) that produces electrical energy at the tip of the needle. It is worth mentioning that the energy does not heat the needle itself. The needle is in fact kept cool by a constant flow of chilled fluid running through it. The energy acts on the tissue immediately around the tip of the needle to produce heat in a small area around the tip . The needle is gently moved through the nodule tissue to ensure an effective treatment. The heat produced inactivates the thyroid cells and causes cell death (mainly by injuring proteins in the cells). The end result is that the nodule shrinks over several weeks and months. Structures around the thyroid gland are protected, mainly by carefully monitoring the position of the needle on the ultrasound machine and injecting a small amount of fluid around the gland itself. This ensures only the nodule and not the surrounding normal thyroid tissue or other important structures are affected.
