Brazilian Consensus on the Application of Thermal Ablation for Treatment of Thyroid Nodules: A Task Force Statement by the Brazilian Society of Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Surgery (SOBRICE), Brazilian Society of Head and Neck Surgery (SBCCP), and Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM)
Gustavo Philippi de los Santos, Marco Aurélio Vamondes Kulcsar, Fábio de Aquino Capelli, José Higino Steck, Klécius Leite Fernandes, Cléo Otaviano Mesa, Joaquim Maurício da Motta-Leal-Filho, Rafael Selbach Scheffel, Fernanda Vaisman, Guilherme Martins, Dênis Szejnfeld, Maurício Kauark Amoedo, Marcos Roberto de Menezes, Antônio Rahal, Leandro Luongo Matos
Abstract
There is increasing interest in ultrasound-guided ablation treatments for thyroid diseases, including benign and malignant ones. Surgeons, radiologists, and endocrinologists carry out these treatments, and various organizations within these specialties have recently released multiple international consensus statements and clinical practice standards. The aim of the present consensus statement is to provide guidance, cohesion, and standardization of best practices for thermal ablation procedures of thyroid nodules. The statement includes the indications for these procedures, preprocedural evaluations, technical aspects of the procedures, posttreatment care, follow-up, complications, and training recommendations. This document was written by a panel of specialists from the Brazilian Society of Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Surgery (SOBRICE), the Brazilian Society of Head and Neck Surgery (SBCCP), and the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM). The statement does not aim to provide criteria for assessing the capability of specialists to perform the procedure. Instead, it aims to promote the standardization of best practices to reduce potential adverse outcomes. Additionally, it strives to enhance the delivery of high-quality care and the widespread adoption of these technologies on a national level. The recommendations collectively serve as a guidebook for applying best practices in thyroid ablation.