Cryoablation

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Cryoablation is a new but highly potential method for ablation of thyroid nodules. In cryoablation, tumor tissue is killed and rendered harmless by freezing at -140 degrees. The body eliminates the dead tissue by shrinking it over time through its own natural mechanism.

Cryoablation has been used successfully for years in the treatment of prostate, kidney and liver cancers. Oncologic results are similar to surgery in suitable patients. Unlike other ablation methods, cryoablation destroys the tissue by freezing it. Due to this feature, it has the following advantages.

1. The procedure is less painful because cold application has a natural local anesthetic effect. Therefore, the patient does not need to be anesthetized during the procedure.

2. During cryoablation, the frozen area can be seen instantaneously on ultrasound and tomography. This feature is not available in any other ablation method. Being able to see the frozen ablation area makes the ablation procedure safer and more effective. This is an important advantage in organs close to important vessels and nerves such as the thyroid.

3. In cryoablation, the size and shape of the freezing process can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the tumor. If necessary, the ablation area can be enlarged by using more than one needle.

How is it done?

First, the nodule to be ablated in the thyroid is detected by ultrasound. Then, the entry site on the skin is numbed with local anesthesia and an appropriately sized cryoablation needle is inserted into the nodule under ultrasound guidance. At this stage, the device is started and the freezing process begins. During cryoablation, an ice ball rapidly forms around the needle in the center of the nodule. The ice ball, which is seen as a black area, grows larger and larger, completely enclosing the thyroid nodule and freezing it to death. The freezing process is usually repeated 2-3 times to completely kill the nodule. During the procedure, the function of the vocal cord nerve is checked by making the patient talk intermittently. After the procedure is finished, the cryoablation needle is withdrawn and the patient is discharged after a few hours of observation.