New Non-Surgical Treatment for Benign Thyroid Nodules

“Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists” in La Jolla, CA, the office of Dr. Darius A. Schneider and Dr. Daniel Einhorn, is now accepting patients for Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)  of large benign thyroid nodules.

Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules is a cutting-edge non-surgical treatment for benign thyroid nodules in patients who are experiencing symptoms and discomfort and who want to avoid surgery. RFA uses a small needle that creates very precise radio waves that heat up and destroy a small area of nodule tissue (see picture below). It has been around for decades and is frequently used to destroy nerve cells that cause chronic pain. RFA of thyroid tissue has been performed since 2002 and is best used in cases of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules or overactive thyroid nodules (toxic adenoma). For these patients, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation provides a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia.  The patient is awake and able to constantly communicate throughout the entire procedure.  It is a relatively painless minimally invasive procedure that lasts about 30. 6-9 months after ablation, we are able to achieve an average of 80-90 percent volume reduction of the nodules without surgery and without a need for thyroid hormone supplementation in the future.

We are very excited to be San Diego’s first office to offer this procedure to its patients.  And we truly believe that this is a good, safe alternative treatment for a lot of patients with thyroid nodules. Up to a third of the patients, we treat with endocrine surgery could be potentially impacted by this new approach – a third that won’t need surgery or thyroid hormone therapy!

If you have been suffering from a growing benign thyroid nodule, and are looking for a non-surgical treatment, please feel free to contact Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists at 858-622-7200 or visit our website www.thyroidnodules.info for more information.