RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION
OF THYROID NODULES
Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules has been around for about 15 years now. It has been performed in several European countries and Asia for several years and is now available in the United States. The term "radiofrequency ablation" refers to processes in which the tissue is destroyed by heat. During thermal ablation, a probe is introduced into the nodule under the guidance of ultrasound. The nodules are destroyed by selectively heating the probe tip. Since there are no nerve fibers in the nodules, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. It is relatively painless. Once the tissue is broken down, it shrinks between 60-90% the first year.
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GENERAL ENDOCRINOLOGY RESOURCESRESOURCE LINKS American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) http://www.aace.com EmPower http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/
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DIABETESType 1 DM Type 2 DM Gestational Diabetes Insulin Pump Therapy Continuous Glucose Monitoring RESOURCE LINKS EmPower Your Health http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/ endocrine-conditions/diabetes Blood Sugar Basics http://bloodsugarbasics.com/ American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/ ?loc=GlobalNavDB National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/index.aspx Food Network: Diabetic-Friendly Recipes http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipe-collections/ diabetic/index.html National Diabetes Education Program http://ndep.nih.gov/ CDC, Diabetes and Me http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/ index.htm Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ Myths about diabetes - from the American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/ Heart and Vascular Disease http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/ index.htm#obesity Aim for a Healthy Weight http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/ lose_wt/patmats.htm Diabetes and Kidney Disease http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/ kudiseases/a-z.asp
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THYROIDHypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Evaluation of thyroid nodules including Diagnostic neck ultrasound and ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy Thyroid cancer including preoperative lymph node mapping and postoperative ultrasound surveillance with lymph node biopsy as necessary. The only practice in Dallas to be accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine as a thyroid/parathyroid facility. RESOURCE LINKS EmPower Your Health http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/ endocrine-conditions/thyroid/about_your_thyroid Thyroid Diseases: Medline Plus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ thyroiddiseases.html American Thyroid Association http://www.thyroid.org/ patient-thyroid-information/
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METABOLIC DISEASESRESOURCE LINKS National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS) http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/index.aspx UpToDate http://www.uptodate.com/patients/ index.html The Hormone Foundation http://www.hormone.org/Endo101/ index.cfm
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OSTEOPOROSIS AND CALCIUM DISORDERSHyperparathyoidism including localization for parathyroid adenomas with neck ultrasound RESOURCE LINKS EmPower Your Health http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/endocrine-conditions/osteoporosis National Osteoporosis Foundation http://www.nof.org/ Hypercalcemia: Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypercalcemia/DS00976/DSECTION=causes
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FEMALE HORMONAL DISORDERSPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome Hirsutism
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MALE HORMONAL DISORDERSEvaluation and treatment of low testosterone
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CHOLESTEROL DISORDERSHigh cholesterol and High Triglycerides Metabolic Syndrome
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ADRENAL DISEASEAdrenal Mass Cushing's Syndrome Adrenal Insufficiency RESOURCE LINKS EmPower Your Health http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/endocrine-conditions/adrenal Adrenal Gland Diseases: Cleveland Clinic http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/endocrinology/diseases-of-the-adrenal-gland/
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PITUITARY DISEASEPituitary Tumors Panhypopituitarism RESOURCE LINKS EmPower Your Health http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/endocrine-conditions/pituitary Pituitary Gland: Medline Plus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/anatomyvideos/000099.htm
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NUTRITIONAL DISORDERSDietician services for diabetes, obesity and cholesterol disorders RESOURCE LINKS Calorie King http://www.calorieking.com/ The Diabetic Gourmet http://www.diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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LESS PAIN & DOWNTIME
In the final analysis RFA is an attractive alternative for patients who experience symptoms caused by benign thyroid nodules. It is a safe and FDA approved procedure with less pain, less down time and no scarring. With its long lasting effects, RFA is a breakthrough in treating symptoms related to thyroid nodules.
