Thermal field management improves patient-reported outcomes during ablation for papillary thyroid carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

Figure 2 Thermal field management during radiofrequency ablation in a 31-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe. A and B: Longitudinal and transverse pre- radiofrequency ablation ultrasound images show a hypoechoic solid nodule (1.2 cm × 1.1 cm × 1.0 cm) abutting the thyroid capsule; C: Tissue adhesions from tumor invasion impeded formation of an effective fluid barrier between the capsule and surrounding tissue (orange dashed circle); D: The active needle tip extended ≥ 2 mm beyond the original tumor margin (upper boundary on the image) without penetrating the capsule (thick arrow); E: The hydrodissection needle tip (thin arrow) was placed flush against the capsule at the site of heat leakage along the ablation needle shaft (thick arrow), with continuous injection of isolating fluid; F: Heat generated by the active tip was completely confined within the thyroid lobe, and the patient had no discomfort or hoarseness after the procedure.