Thyroid nodules:
there is a path between watching and surgery
Minimally invasive thyroid ablation uses a single fine needle under real-time ultrasound guidance to shrink a benign nodule — no general anaesthesia, no hospital stay, no visible neck scar, and normal thyroid function preserved wherever possible.
What is minimally invasive thyroid ablation?
Thyroid ablation is an ultrasound-guided procedure in which a fine needle is placed precisely inside a thyroid nodule. Heat or ethanol destroys the nodule tissue, which the body then gradually reabsorbs, so the nodule shrinks over time.
The goal is not to remove the nodule immediately, but to make it shrink where it sits.
This is the essential difference from conventional surgery. Surgery removes the nodule — and often part or all of the thyroid gland — through a neck incision. Ablation leaves the healthy thyroid tissue in place and treats only the problematic benign nodule, so the impact on thyroid function is usually far smaller and there is no surgical scar on the neck.
Three modalities are used in practice, chosen according to the size, structure, position and vascularity of the nodule. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are thermal techniques used mainly for solid or mixed nodules. Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is used for cystic nodules, particularly cysts that keep recurring after aspiration.
Patients do not need to choose the technique themselves. What matters is completing a thyroid ultrasound, the necessary cytology, and a thyroid function assessment first — the physician then selects the appropriate approach.
Where to start
Complete guide to thyroid ablation
What RFA, MWA and PEI are, who is a candidate, how much nodules shrink, what the risks are, and what it costs.
Read →Ablation vs. surgery
Anaesthesia, admission, scarring, thyroid function, recovery and cost compared side by side — and when surgery is still the right choice.
Read →Before & after your procedure
Which medications to stop two weeks in advance, what to eat on the day, what to bring, wound care and the follow-up schedule.
Read →For international patients
How to arrange an assessment from abroad, what records to send ahead, travel logistics, and a realistic timeline for your visit.
Read →About Dr. Mei-Chen Yeh
Attending endocrinologist at Chi Mei Medical Center, 300+ ablation cases, published author on thyroid RFA technique.
Read →中文版
甲狀腺微創消融完整衛教內容，包含射頻、微波與酒精消融、術前術後須知與掛號資訊。
前往中文版 →Who should consider an assessment?
- A thyroid nodule found incidentally on a health check or imaging study
- A known benign nodule that has continued to grow over years of follow-up
- A visible bulge in the neck affecting appearance
- A sensation of something stuck when swallowing, or pressure in the throat
- Discomfort around the neck or trachea when lying down
- Surgery has been recommended, but you would like to understand the minimally invasive alternative
- You wish to avoid a visible neck scar, or to preserve normal thyroid function
- A cystic nodule that keeps refilling after aspiration
- A toxic (autonomously functioning) thyroid nodule, where reducing or stopping antithyroid medication is a goal
An important limitation: if a nodule has not been confirmed benign, or ultrasound raises suspicion of malignancy, ablation is generally not performed directly. Fine-needle aspiration, biopsy or further investigation must come first. For confirmed thyroid cancer, Dr. Yeh currently recommends surgical treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Do all thyroid nodules need surgery?
No. Most thyroid nodules are benign, and small, asymptomatic, low-risk nodules can usually be followed with periodic ultrasound. When a benign nodule keeps growing and causes pressure symptoms or a visible neck bulge, radiofrequency ablation offers a third option between watchful waiting and surgery.
Can international patients receive thyroid ablation in Taiwan?
Yes. Thyroid ablation is an outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia, with no hospital admission required and roughly 30 minutes of observation afterwards. International patients are welcome at Chi Mei Medical Center in Tainan. Note that procedures are usually scheduled in the morning, starting as early as 08:30, with check-in 30 minutes beforehand — so plan to be in Tainan the night before. Please email [email protected] in advance so that an assessment appointment and, if you are a suitable candidate, a treatment date can be arranged efficiently.
How much does thyroid radiofrequency ablation cost in Taiwan?
Thyroid ablation is a self-pay procedure in Taiwan. For radiofrequency ablation (RFA), the fee is approximately NT$53,000 for a nodule smaller than 5 cm and approximately NT$59,000 for a nodule larger than 5 cm, per nodule per session. Microwave ablation (MWA) costs more than RFA. Larger nodules may require two or more sessions. Final amounts follow the official schedule published by Chi Mei Medical Center.
How experienced is Dr. Yeh?
Dr. Mei-Chen Yeh is an attending physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, with over 300 minimally invasive thyroid ablation cases. She is the author of a peer-reviewed article on radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules in the Journal of Internal Medicine of Taiwan (2023;34:300–303) and a contributing author to Taiwan's thyroid ablation treatment guidelines.
Last updated: 9 August 2026 | Reviewed by Dr. Mei-Chen Yeh, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chi Mei Medical Center
Not sure whether your nodule is suitable?
Thyroid ablation is not a single technique but a full sequence of decisions — diagnosis, risk stratification, choice of treatment and long-term follow-up. It begins with a proper assessment.