Why Surgeons Should Perform Thyroid RFA , Part I Indications, Technologies and Basic Principles

Sunday, October 18, 2026

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 6

Moderator(s)

RT

Ralph P. Tufano, MD

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

Panelist(s)

Julia E. Noel, MD

Affiliate Associate Professor
Stanford University/Santa Clara Medical Center
San Jose, CA, United States
David Goldenberg, MD

Prof
PENN STATE university
Hershey, PA, United States
VD

Vaninder Kaur Dhillon, MD

Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Cabin John, MD, United States
MR

Marika D. Russell, MD

Assistant Professor
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Disclosure(s):

Ralph P. Tufano, MD:

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

Julia E. Noel, MD:

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

Vaninder Kaur Dhillon, MD:

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

This session includes three focused lectures followed by an interactive panel discussion. The first lecture reviews available RFA technologies, basic principles, and relevant cervical anatomy. The second addresses the clinical rationale for thermal ablation, comparison with surgery and active surveillance, informed consent, and U.S. insurance authorization processes. The final segment is a multidisciplinary case discussion, allowing attendees to apply concepts, discuss indications, and refine technical and clinical decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the fundamentals of RFA physics • Compare available generators and electrodes • Recognize indications for benign thyroid nodules • Identify critical anatomical structures for planning
Rational for Thermal ablation, comparison against surgery and active survailance. Review informed consent and U.S. payer authorization workflow
Apply concepts to real cases • Engage in multidisciplinary discussion • Clarify technical and clinical decision-making