(Episode #69) Thyroid RFA and connection to voice and swallow: Dr Vaninder Dhillon

Today’s guest is Dr. Vaninder Dhillon, an assistant professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, practicing in Bethesda, Maryland. She is dual fellowship trained with expertise in thyroid and parathyroid surgery and radiofrequecy ablation for benign and malignant lesions, as well as laryngology which includes voice and swallowing disorders. She has a clinical interest in laryngeal outcomes after thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as radiofrequency ablation.
Contact Dr. Vaninder Dhillon:
Vaninder K Dhillon MD
Johns Hopkins University
Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
Bethesda, Maryland
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profi...
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction music
00:44 Dr. Dhillon introduction
01:44 What is a laryngologist?
02:57 Where is the larynx in relation to the thyroid?
05:38 The location of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the "danger triangle"
11:45 Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve
14:55 Mitigation strategies during RFA for voice change
20:22 The role of the larynx in swallowing function
20:28 Difficulty swallowing
28:38 Recommendations for patients seeking RFA
33:43 Professional singers undergoing RFA
37:57 Dr. Dhillon's experience with RFA at Johns Hopkins
39:29 Final thoughts
Links to some good research related to laryngeal function outcomes:
👉Dhillon, VK, Randolph, GW, Stack, BC, et al. Immediate and partial neural dysfunction after thyroid and parathyroid surgery: Need for recognition, laryngeal exam, and early treatment. Head & Neck. 2020; 42: 3779- 3794. doi.org/10.1002/hed.26472
👉Orloff, LA, Noel, JE, Stack, BC, et al. Radiofrequency ablation and related ultrasound-guided ablation technologies for treatment of benign and malignant thyroid disease: An international multidisciplinary consensus statement of the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section with the Asia Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery, Associazione Medici Endocrinologi, British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons, European Thyroid Association, Italian Society of Endocrine Surgery Units, Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology, Latin American Thyroid Society, and Thyroid Nodules Therapies Association. Head & Neck. 2022; 44( 3): 633- 660. doi:10.1002/hed.26960
👉Pietsch K et al. Early assessment of laryngeal dysfunction after thyroid surgery:
a narrative review on detection and treatment considerations and
the role of speech language pathology. AOT. Jan 2023.
Disclaimer: None of the statements made in this or any other video by "Its me Jen again" should be considered medical advice.
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Music Credits: No attribution required
Grut - Patrick Patrickios
• Grut - Patrick Patriki...

[@GG-qy2js]

Going to your regular dr without this experience starts a trail of frustration. Go to the experts from day 1.

[@ashmineeadonis7625]

Hi im going tru thyrod nodgel now

[@bujjil7330]

Can you pls tell me that indeterminate nodules (Bethesda category 3) are eligible for RFA

[@ItsmeJenagain]

It depends on who you ask. Please watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppCmdqCAmpysr5o

[@lachele7099]

Question: how long is the RFA surgery and how long is the healing.

[@ItsmeJenagain]

Usually, it is a short procedure lasting only 10 to 30 minutes, unless your nodule is very large. Recovery is really a subjective thing, also based on the size and location of the nodule. But most people don't require any downtime at all.

[@neryvargasgarcia9767]

I’m getting it done in October I’m so nervous