What Is Interventional Endocrinology?
Interventional endocrinology is an emerging field that uses percutaneous (i.e. through the skin), image-guided procedures to treat endocrine diseases. Interventional endocrinology uses less invasive techniques, often a simple needlestick, than the typically surgeries which often treat these conditions.
The most commonly performed procedures include ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation and ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of specific types of benign thyroid nodules and lymph nodes with recurrent cancer.
Who Performs Interventional Endocrinology Procedures?
Many different types of specialists can perform interventional endocrinology procedures including endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons. However, these procedures require unique, specialized training to be performed safely and with good results. Equally important, a multidisciplinary discussion among the specialists is critical to determining if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure.
What Is Ultrasound-guided Ethanol Ablation?
Ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation uses high-resolution ultrasound to guide the injection of a small amount of ethanol into a thyroid nodule or lymph node. The ethanol causes an inflammatory response that leads to very targeted destruction of the nodule or node. This procedure has been very successful for treating cystic (fluid-filled) thyroid nodules, since simple cysts are almost never cancer (
Treatment of thyroid cysts is considered when compressive symptoms are present (i.e. difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or voice changes) or when the cyst is very large. Traditional options for treating thyroid cysts include needle aspiration (drainage of the cyst through the skin using a small needle) or surgical removal. Unfortunately, needle aspiration has a high chance of the cyst coming back (60-90%). Surgery cures the problem, but it can be associated with a low risk of complications and a very small group of patients may not be able to have surgery due to other medical problems. For these patients, ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation is a safe and effective option for treating thyroid cysts.
What Is Ultrasound-guided Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?
Radiofrequency ablation uses a small needle that creates very precise radio waves that heat up and destroy a small area of tissue. RFA is frequently used to destroy cancer cells in the liver, lung, kidney, breast, and bone, as well as to kill nerve cells that cause chronic pain. Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid tissue has been performed since 2002 and is best used in cases of recurrent thyroid cancer where surgery is not ideal, or symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. For these patients, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation provides a safe and effective alternative when surgery is not an ideal choice.
How Can Interventional Endocrinology Help with Recurrent Thyroid Cancer?
Although the overall survival for patients with thyroid cancer is excellent, up to 20% of patients will have recurrent disease (i.e. cancer that comes back) even with appropriate initial surgical treatment. The vast majority of these recurrences are found in the lymph nodes (90%). Although surgery remains the preferred treatment for recurrent disease, the chance of complications increases because of the scar tissue created in previous operations. Both ultrasound-guided ethanol and radiofrequency ablation have proven to be safe and effective procedures for recurrent thyroid cancer.
How Are These Procedures Performed?
These procedures are performed as an outpatient procedure in a special room in the office. The patient is given local anesthesia and is awake for the procedure. The doctor will work with the patient and their healthcare team to safely stop any blood thinners or aspirin prior to the day of the procedure. Patients can eat normally up until the procedure and there are no restrictions after the procedure except to avoid heavy lifting for the day. Patients can resume normal activities the same day of their procedure.
Read more about planning for before, during, and after the procedure in our Interventional Endocrinology: What to Expect guide »
What Complications Are Associated With The Procedures?
Like any other procedure, ultrasound-guided techniques can be associated with a small risk of potential complications. These include:
Am I A Good Candidate For These Interventional Procedures?
If you are interested in either radiofrequency ablation or ethanol ablation and would like to see if you would be a good candidate, please contact The Columbia Thyroid Center at (212) 305-0444.
The Interventional Endocrinology program at The Columbia Thyroid Center is a natural extension of our successful multidisciplinary Thyroid Biopsy Clinic. Our specialists have unparalleled expertise in clinical thyroidology and ultrasonography. Dr. Jennifer H. Kuo, MD MS, Director of the Interventional Endocrinology Program and Surgical Director of the Thyroid Biopsy Program, is an endocrine surgeon who was trained by the pioneer of ultrasound-guided interventional techniques, Dr. Jun Hwan Baek of Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. Her combined expertise in clinical thyroidology, surgical treatment of thyroid disorders, and interventional ultrasonographic skills allows her to offer the best and appropriate treatment for patients with thyroid disorders.