Interventional Endocrinology: Techniques, Indications, and Potential Complications

Total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy has historically been the first-line treatment for any thyroid pathology that could not be medically managed. However, surgery comes with inherent risks and necessitates an incision that leaves a scar. To address some of these drawbacks, image-guided percutaneous ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive management option for thyroid nodules that provides patients with an alternative to surgery. Following the early successful outcomes with benign nodules, the indications for various ablation techniques have started to expand to autonomously functioning nodules, and more recently to recurrent thyroid cancer and low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. This chapter summarizes current interventional endocrinology techniques, indications, and potential complications.