Radiofrequency Ablation Compared to Surgery for the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules
Figure 1
(a) Transverse US image shows the transisthmic approach. The probe, whose active part is placed in the nodule through its isthmus, is inserted from the medial to the lateral part of the nodule and is visible along its longitudinal axis. (b-c) Transverse US images show the moving-shot technique. RFA is performed unit by unit, aiming at ablating all the subunits of the nodule, which turn into microbubbles (hyperechoic areas with posterior barrage of the ultrasound beam). Initially, (a) the probe tip is positioned in the medial and deepest part of the nodule and subsequently (b-c) in its most superficial and lateral parts.
