Radiofrequency and microwave ablation shrink benign thyroid nodules — no incision, no scar, outpatient procedure.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within the gland — common, found in roughly 20-75% of the general population, and usually cause no symptoms. The large majority are benign; only a small proportion are cancerous.
Treatment is considered in selected cases: nodules causing visible neck swelling, pressure symptoms, cosmetic concern, or nodules that are overactive (producing excess thyroid hormone).
You lie comfortably, awake, neck slightly extended.
Real-time imaging positions the needle precisely in the nodule.
Needle-based — no cuts, no sutures needed.
Observed briefly, then home the same day.
Thyroid nodule ablation uses heat, either radiofrequency (RFA) or microwave (MWA) energy, delivered through a fine needle to destroy a nodule from the inside, without any surgical incision.
No. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign. They are very common, found in 20 to 75% of the general population, and most cause no symptoms and need no treatment.
Treatment is considered for nodules causing visible neck swelling, pressure symptoms like difficulty swallowing or breathing, cosmetic concern, or nodules producing excess thyroid hormone.
Both destroy a thyroid nodule using heat delivered through a needle. RFA uses radiofrequency energy; MWA uses microwave energy generated by electromagnetic waves and generally treats the nodule faster with fewer repositioning steps. Both aim to preserve surrounding healthy thyroid tissue.
No. It is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia through a needle, no incision or general anaesthesia is needed.
Serious complications are rare. Possible side effects include bleeding, temporary hoarseness from bruising near a nearby nerve, skin burns, and infection — best-practice protocols keep these risks low.
At Neuro & Vascular, thyroid nodule ablation is performed by Dr. Suresh Giragani, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, with over 18 years of experience in image-guided ablation procedures.
Book a consultation with Dr. Giragani, or send your scans and reports for a specialist second opinion.