Patients navigating symptomatic or growing benign thyroid nodules can now receive safe and effective, nonsurgical treatments using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) technology or percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), provided by Washington University’s Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research. The clinic, located at 4500 Forest Park Avenue, Floor 1, Suite A , St. Louis, MO 63110, serves as a one-stop-shop where patients can see Dr. Sina Jasim for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care of benign thyroid nodules, with RFA and PEI offered to clinically suitable patients.
Benign thyroid nodules are noncancerous but may continue to grow larger, causing various neck symptoms for their hosts.
“Patients with symptomatic thyroid nodules have mostly had to choose between either surgical removal of the nodules or monitoring with continued discomfort, obstructive symptoms and concern of losing their thyroid gland.”
Sina Jasim, MD. MPH
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, RFA technology is widely supported by robust evidence of efficacy and tolerability. Such as in the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Disease State Clinical Review: The Clinical Utility of Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures in the Management of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions, written by Dr. Jasim and colleagues.
The technique serves as a nonsurgical treatment option that involves the use of heat to shrink the nodules, resulting in thermal tissue necrosis and fibrosis. It is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting, requiring the ultrasound-guided insertion of an electrode needle that generates an alternating electric field into the nodule and a gradual decrease in size. For completely cystic nodules, if the fluid continues to accumulate after aspiration, PEI is the preferred non-surgical technique.
Aside from being safe and effective, minimally invasive techniques offer many additional benefits, such as patients get to avoid surgery and general anesthesia, the need for thyroid hormone replacement is eliminated, the risk of scarring is greatly reduced, and the procedure preserves normal thyroid function while shrinking benign thyroid nodules.
“Minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided, interventional techniques have been recognized and increasingly employed worldwide. Percutaneous ethanol injection, thermal ablation, and radiofrequency ablation have been successfully used to treat benign thyroid nodules.”
Sina Jasim, MD, MPH
Patients who qualify for RFA treatment must have a benign thyroid nodule that is large or growing, causing compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns. Prior to receiving RFA, benign nodules must be confirmed by an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. This nonsurgical treatment option may also be a viable option for those who cannot receive surgical treatment.
Appointments can be made by calling 314-362-3500 and are typically scheduled within one month. Self-referrals are accepted.
Jasim S, Patel KN, Randolph G, Adams S, Cesareo R, Condon E, Henrichsen T, Itani M, Papaleontiou M, Rangel L, Schmitz J, Stan MN. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Disease State Clinical Review: The Clinical Utility of Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures in the Management of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions. Endocr Pract. 2022 Apr;28(4):433-448. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2022.02.011. PMID: 35396078.