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Gentle Treatment of Thyroid GlandsThermal Ablation – the Minimally-Invasive Alternative

Gentle Treatment of Thyroid GlandsThermal Ablation – the Minimally-Invasive Alternative

When my thyroid nodule becomes a problem…

The thyroid gland produces hormones which perform important functions in the body.

Diseases of the thyroid lead to a hormone imbalance. A thyroid nodule is often the cause.

Around 99% of all thyroid nodules are benign. Most benign nodules do not require surgical removal.

Thyroid nodules can cause a variety of symptoms. For example:

· Feeling of pressure in the throat

· Difficulties swallowing

· Cosmetic issues

· Physical impairments caused by excessive or inadequate production of thyroid hormones, such as hair loss

or feeling unwell

The good newsYour physician can often help you without removing all or part of the thyroid gland! The application of radioactive substancesis also not always required for treatment. With the assistance of bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA), it is possible to treat the benign nodule gently.

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How Olympus Thermal Ablation WorksThermal Ablation – the Minimally-Invasive Alternative

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Thyroid nodule three months after RFA1

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Thyroid nodule before RFA1

Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) from Olympus is a safe and particularly

gentle method of heating tissue.

The physician treating you uses ultrasound diagnosis to check the position, volume and nature of the thyroid nodule.

Under local anesthesia, a thin probe is then passed through the skin into the thyroid nodule.

Heating of a precise area of the nodule to 60-100°C starts at the tip of the probe. This thermally

deactivates the nodule tissue.

It may be necessary to reposition the probe a few times in order to heat the entire volume of the nodule.

After the treatment, the body resorbs the treated tissue within a few weeks or months.

Your Thyroid nodule shrinks.

Symptoms are reduced.

1Photos by kind permission of Prof. Dr. Dr. Korkusuz, Deutsches Zentrum für

Thermoablation von Schilddrüsenknoten e.V., Frankfurt a.M., Germany

Questions & AnswersThermal Ablation – the Minimally-Invasive Alternative

I have a thyroid nodule - what happens now?

First, it is important to rule out a malignant nodule.

Benign nodules do not necessarily have to be treated.

As soon as you suffer from symptoms which require treat-

ment, it makes sense to consider radiofrequency ablation.

How does thermal ablation work?

The thyroid nodule is heated by precision application of

radiofrequency energy. The tissue thermally deactivated by

these means is resorbed by the body automatically in the

weeks and months following treatment.

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Is the procedure painful?

You may briefly experience mild pain during ablation itself;

this may extend as far as the jaw. There is no need for pain-

killers after the RFA procedure.

What outcome can I expect?

Thermal ablation alleviates the symptoms caused by the

nodule. The volume of the nodule is reduced by about 50%

in the first three months following treatment. The remaining

thyroid tissue remains functional and it is not usually neces-

sary to medicate with thyroid hormones. There is generally

no scarring.

Benign nodule

Thyroid Gland

Probe

Precise area heated

Questions & AnswersThermal Ablation – the Minimally-Invasive Alternative

Does the treatment have potential complications?

The likelihood of complications is minimal. Bruising may

occur. In exceptional cases, there may be temporary

hoarseness or infections. The risk of scarring is minimal.

What is important after the procedure?

You should avoid strenuous physical exercise in the days

following the treatment. You should also avoid over-

extending the throat in the first few days after the RFA in

order to support the healing process. Otherwise, there are

no restrictions on your usual daily routine.

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Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbHKuehnstr. 61 | 22045 Hamburg, Germanywww.olympus.eu/tumorablation

Benefits· Out-patient treatment under local anesthesia - no need for a hospital stay· No radioactive substances· Short treatment time, a few minutes per treatment· Healthy thyroid tissue is protected and preserved· Nodule volume is reduced by about 50% after three months· Good cosmetic result· Rapid return to your normal daily routine· Medication not usually required after the procedure· Treatment can be repeated if necessary