甲狀腺結節(thyroid nodules) 是臨床很常見的一個疾病，大多數都是無症狀且良性的，但是部分病人的甲狀腺結節可能造成美觀上的困擾(cosmetic concerns) 或是壓迫的症狀(compressive symptoms) ，其中大約15%的甲狀腺結節體積會逐漸變大。傳統上解決結節問題的治療方式有甲狀腺素補充治療，以及開刀的方式。而其中甲狀腺素補充治療成效並不顯著，現今國際指引並不建議常規給予甲狀腺素治療結節問題。而治療效果較顯著的是開刀，但是臨床醫師經常會面臨到的問題是病人的結節雖然已造成美觀上的困擾或是有壓迫的症狀，病人雖然想改善這樣的問題，但是卻又不希望開刀。超音波導引下經皮甲狀腺射頻消融術(radiofrequency ablation, RFA) 是近幾年在台灣漸漸發展的一個技術，可以門診治療，不需住院、全身麻醉或是插管，當日即可返家，是病人的另一個選擇。在台灣和各國的經驗日漸豐富，根據目前的證據顯示是安全而且有效的治療方式。

Thyroid nodules are common disease in our clinical practice. Most of the nodules are benign and asymptomatic, while some of the nodules cause compressive symptoms or cosmetic concerns. Enlargement of the thyroid nodules is noted in about 15% among all nodules. The traditional treatment methods include thyroxine supplementation and surgery. However, the effect of thyroxine supplementation is not significant, and current international guidelines do not recommend routine administration of thyroxine for the treatment of nodules. Surgery is most effective. The problem that clinicians often face is that the patient's nodules have caused cosmetic distress or oppressive symptoms, although the patients wish to improve such problems, they do not want surgery. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the thyroid gland is a technology that has gradually developed in Taiwan in recent years. It can be treated in outpatient surgery without hospitalization, general anesthesia or intubation, and patient can return home on the same day of surgery. Radiofrequency ablation is now another choice for those patients. Experience in Taiwan and other countries is growing, and based on current evidence, it is a safe and effective treatment.