Table 4.
Preprocedural checklist for radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules
| The evaluations prior to RFA of benign thyroid nodules | |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | |
| At least two benign US-guided FNA or CNB diagnoses | |
| At least one FNA or CNB diagnosis of benign thyroid nodules (US features highly suggestive of benign status; spongiform or partially cystic nodules with intracystic comet tail artifacts)a) | |
| US | |
| Nodule characteristics (echogenicity, margin, composition vascularity) and volume | |
| Relationship of target nodule with surrounding critical structures | |
| Symptom and cosmetic scores | |
| Laboratory findings | |
| Complete blood count, coagulation test, thyroid function test (TSH, T3, fT4) | |
| Thyroid autoantibodies if TFT abnormality is present | |
| Other imaging modalities (optional) | |
| CT or MRI | |
| Thyroid scan | |
| Laryngoscopy (optional) | |
RFA, radiofrequency ablation; US, ultrasound; FNA, fine-needle aspiration; CNB, core needle biopsy; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone; TFT, thyroid function test; CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; ACR, American College of Radiology; EU-TIRADS, European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System; AACE/ACE-AME, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology and Associazione Medici Endocrinologi; K-TIRADS, Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System.
ACR TR-1 (spongiform nodule)/EU-TIRADS category 2 (spongiform nodule)/AACE/ACE-AME low-risk (spongiform, mostly cystic with intracystic comet tail artifacts)/K-TIRADS category 2 (spongiform or partially cystic with intracystic comet tail artifacts) nodules.