Clinical trajectories of patients with benign thyroid disease referred by self or by medical provider for radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND

While use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid disease is growing, data regarding self-referral are lacking. This study aims to characterize clinical trajectories of patients with benign thyroid disease referred for RFA, either by medical provider or self.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of adult patients with symptomatic or hyperfunctioning benign thyroid nodules who underwent RFA from 2020 to 2025 was conducted to assess proportion of referrals for RFA by self and medical providers, ultimate management (RFA, surgery, observation), nodule volume, volume reduction ratio (VRR), and thyroid function tests.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients were seen for RFA of whom 37 (54%) underwent RFA for symptomatic (64%) or hyperfunctioning (36%) nodules. Among patients who self-referred, 42% underwent RFA while 16% underwent surgery and 42% observation. Self-referred patients were more likely to have functional nodules (p = 0.03, OR 7.88 [1.3, 47.4]). Among all patients with hyperfunctioning nodules, 100% were euthyroid at 6-12 months post-ablation, regardless of referral source. Self- and provider-referred patients had similar median VRR (54% [42, 73] vs. 56% [23, 68]) at 6-12 months post-ablation (p = 0.66).

CONCLUSION

Adoption of ablative techniques by endocrine surgeons enables more comprehensive discussion of all effective treatment options for benign thyroid disease.