Safety and Efficacy of Thermal Ablation for Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of Available Evidence.
Ilias Karakitsos, Stefanos Triaridis, Petros Karkos
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the safety and efficacy of thermal ablation techniques (laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave ablation) for cervical lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma. The review included 29 studies and found that all modalities demonstrated high technical success and effective local disease control, with most complications being mild and transient.
Key findings
- All three thermal ablation techniques showed high technical success rates.
- There was a progressive reduction in nodal volume across the modalities.
- Local disease control was meaningful with thermal ablation treatments.
- Most complications were mild, transient, and resolved quickly.
Why it matters
Understanding the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation techniques provides clinicians with minimally invasive alternatives for managing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, particularly when surgery poses significant risks.