Future Considerations and Directions for Thermal Ablative Technologies

Purpose of Review: To outline future applications of thermal ablation technologies for head and neck pathologies. Recent Findings: Thermal ablation technologies are most widely used for benign thyroid disease. However, other potential uses include parathyroid disease, salivary tumors, and papillary thyroid microcarcinomas. The anatomical proximity of critical structures to the thyroid bed raises important issues regarding patient safety and morbidity with thermal ablation techniques for these novel indications and potential maneuvers to minimize risk are also discussed. Summary: While benign thyroid lesions offer an excellent demonstration of proof of concept for ablative technologies, it is likely that surgeons skilled in thermal ablation techniques will employ this skillset to the benefit of future patients with pathologies ranging from the parotid to the parathyroid and beyond.