Table 5.

Information to provide patients for informed consent^a)

1. Ablated thyroid nodules decrease in size gradually over several months to years.

2. Number of expected treatment sessions

3. Possibility of regrowth of ablated nodule and need for additional ablation

4. Patients may experience pain during the ablation. For that reason, local and possibly systemic anesthetic agents may be used during and after the procedure.

5. Complications and side effects

6. Physician takes patients’ past medical history, including details on surgery and medication

7. Further observation, admission, or medication may be required after RFA, depending on the patient’s condition.

Adapted form Kim et al. Korean J Radiol 2018;19:632-655 [14], according to Creactive Commons license.

RFA, radiofrequency ablation; KSThR, Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology.

^a)These details were recommended by the KSThR. The group of Austrian societies simply mentioned the need to obtain informed consent from patients.