Thermal Ablation - A Game Changer in the Management of Benign and Malignant Thyroid nódules

Monday, October 19, 2026

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 5

Moderator(s)

Erivelto M. Volpi, MD, PhD

Oncology Center
Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital
Santo Andre, United States

Panelist(s)

Rafael De Cicco, MD

Head - Head and Neck Surgery Department
Instituto de Câncer Dr Arnaldo
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Kaitlyn M. Frazier, MD

Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Higino Steck, MD PhD

Professor of Head and Neck Sector Otolaryngology Division at State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
UNICAMP
Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
RT

Ralph P. Tufano, MD

Director, Thyroid and Parathyroid Center
Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center
Sarsota, FL, United States

Disclosure(s):

Erivelto M. Volpi, MD, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Ralph P. Tufano, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Attendees can expect a comprehensive dive into integrating Thermal Ablation (TA) into an otolaryngology practice. This session will
Compare the efficacy and safety of Radiofrequency (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA) for benign and malignant nodules.
Demonstrate essential ultrasound-guided techniques, including hydrodissection and the "moving shot" method, through high-quality video case studies.
Review patient selection criteria and volume reduction outcomes.
Discuss management of complications and the logistics of office-based implementation.
Participants will leave with a practical framework for offering these scarless, organ-preserving alternatives to traditional surgery.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze patient selection criteria and clinical indications to determine when thermal ablation (RFA/MWA) is a superior alternative to surgery or observation for benign nodules and low-risk thyroid malignancies.
Demonstrate proficiency in essential ultrasound-guided safety maneuvers, specifically hydrodissection and the "moving shot" technique, to minimize risks to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and surrounding structures.
Evaluate the longitudinal outcomes of thermal ablation, including volume reduction rates (VRR), thyroid function preservation, and quality-of-life improvements, to counsel patients effectively on expected results.