Minimal Interventions for Head and Neck Neoplasms Beyond the Thyroid

In this chapter, we provide an overview of minimal intervention approaches for head and neck neoplasms beyond the thyroid. It highlights that neck masses can arise from various causes, with infections and congenital abnormalities being the primary culprits in children. While management of benign neck tumors typically involves surgical excision or other interventions, surgery may present challenges and risks. Consequently, non-surgical therapies like ablation therapy have gained attention in recent years to address complications and aesthetic concerns associated with bulky lesions. Pre-treatment evaluations commonly include ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging. The chapter further explores the applications of ethanol ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave ablation for cystic and vascularized lesions in the head and neck region. Additionally, it discusses minimal intervention options for salivary gland and parathyroid tumors. Overall, the chapter underscores the role of minimal intervention as an alternative option for managing head and neck neoplasms, either providing symptomatic relief or complementing major surgical procedures to minimize resection extent.