Thyroid Ablation

Thyroid ablation is a non-surgical treatment for people with noncancerous thyroid nodules. Raymond Yung, MD, and the other board-certified otolaryngologists at Raymond L. Yung, MD, PC, in Lower Manhattan in New York City, the Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn, and the Flushing neighborhood in Queens, New York, perform in-office thyroid ablation procedures. Find out more about thyroid ablation by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online today. Walk-ins are also welcome for consults.

What is thyroid ablation?

Thyroid ablation is a non-surgical treatment that reduces the size of noncancerous thyroid nodules. 

Thyroid nodules are growths on the thyroid gland. These growths are common and may affect thyroid function. 

Your thyroid is at the front of your neck and is part of your endocrine system. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, heart rate, and mood. Thyroid nodules may cause the gland to produce too much or not enough of these hormones, affecting physical and emotional well-being.

Not everyone with thyroid nodules needs treatment, but when the nodules affect thyroid function, ablation is an option. Thyroid ablation uses radiofrequency energy to shrink the nodule. Surgery to remove the nodules is another treatment option. 

Who benefits from thyroid ablation?

Your board-certified otolaryngologist at Raymond L. Yung, MD, PC, determines if you might benefit from thyroid ablation after a consultation. Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a CT scan and thyroid biopsy.

The CT scan, which is located at the Manhattan office, creates images of your thyroid and the nodules, and the biopsy determines if your nodule is cancerous or not.

You may benefit from thyroid ablation if you have noncancerous thyroid nodules that affect thyroid function and aren’t near any critical structures.

What happens during thyroid ablation?

Your otolaryngologist at Raymond L. Yung, MD, PC, performs thyroid ablation in an outpatient setting, and may even do the procedure at the office. They use a mild sedative and a local anesthetic, so you’re relaxed but awake during treatment and feel no pain.

Using ultrasound-guided imaging, your provider inserts a needle into the nodule and transmits the radiofrequency energy to shrink it. They systematically ablate the nodule, making it as small as possible.

The entire procedure takes about an hour.

What can I expect after thyroid ablation?

After spending time in the recovery area, your otolaryngologist at Raymond L. Yung, MD, PC, sends you home. You should take it easy the rest of the day. You may feel some mild pain following your thyroid ablation, but you can manage this discomfort with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. 

Unlike surgical treatment for thyroid nodules, you won’t have any scarring.

To find out more about thyroid ablation at Raymond L. Yung, MD, PC, call the office nearest you today or book an appointment online.