About us
Our doctors are here to service your RFA procedures.
Your ultimate satisfaction is our goal.
Dr. Shahzad Ahmad
Dr. Shahzad Ahmad has performed the most number of RFA procedures as an endocrinologist in the US.
He also performed the first successful North American RFA procedures on a Pararthyroid tumor and the first North American RFA of a medullary thyroid cancer recurrence.
Dr. Ahmad completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Englewood, New Jersey and then went on to an Endocrinology fellowship at Harbour-UCLA. His special focus is the diagnosis, and medical treatment of thyroid dysfunction, nodules, and cancer. He was also an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Medicine.
Dr. Ahmad Is ECNU certified, a professional certification awarded to Endocrinologists who have expertise in thyroid ultrasounds, and procedures. Dr. Ahmad also has performed the first radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on a Toxic Thyroid Nodule (hyperfunctioning) in the United States.
He has been involved in trying to bring this technique to the USA for over 4 years and has extensively practiced this technique on tissue models. He has now successfully ablated over 150 nodules/Goiters without complications. The first 3 cases were observed by the STARmed team from Korea under the guidance of the pioneer of the RFA technology, Dr. Jung Hwan Baek of Seoul, South Korea.
Dr. Jules Aljammal
President of north american society of interventional endocrinologist
Dr. Aljammal is a dedicated doctor with a passion for providing the highest standard of medical care for his patients. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, one of the top-rated U.S. academic hospitals, where he trained with national leaders in endocrinology. He is board-certified in endocrinology, with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of thyroid diseases. Dr. Aljammal is also ECNU certified.
Dr. Aljammal’s focus is on helping patients with thyroid disorders. He has carefully evaluated many non- surgical treatments for benign thyroid nodules, including microwave ablation, high intensity frequency ultrasound, and most recently, radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In March, 2018, Dr Aljammal attended the first Master Course for RFA, and witnessed impressive clinical results. Since that time, he has worked tirelessly to bring this technology to the forefront in the United States. He has performed RFA in the treatment of benign and toxic thyroid nodules, and has also successfully treated the first cases of medullary thyroid cancer and parathyroid adenoma in North America. He is a leading physician on the radiofrequency ablation team at The Thyroid Clinic, and his technique with RFA using hydro-dissection has led to 100% successful outcomes without any complications.
Dr. Aljammal is a gifted educator, and is involved in the training of other endocrinology physicians interested in learning about this technology. His accomplishments are a testimony of his dedication to the field, and to his patients.
We know you have many important questions about
your RFA procedure. Our care to you is of
utmost importance
Q. Why should one consider non-surgical alternatives?
A. Thyroid surgery is often recommended to patients because of the presence of a large thyroid mann/Goiter, or “cold nodule”, because of bothersome symptoms (difficulty swallowing, strange feeling in the neck) caused by large, frequently readily visible nodules.
Q. What are the possible disadvantages of thyroid surgery?
A. Thyroid surgery is frequently associated with transient or even enduring complications (7 to 11% when one thyroid lobe is removed, and 14 to 24% when the thyroid gland is completly removed).
If surgery is chosen: the following are unavoidable:
Hospital admission, a convalescence peroid (typically 2 weeks), permanent scar in the neck region, as well as in life-long thyroid medication / regular check-ups and an associated risk.
Q. Am I a suitable candidate for radiofrequency ablation?
A. There are specific set of criteria e follow to select the right candidates who would receive the most benefit from this procedure. This includes blood tests, ultrasounds, and possibly needle thyroid biopsies.
Q. What is Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
A. Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a treatment for reducing the size of benign thyroid nodules if they are symptomatic (pressure feeling in the neck) or causing a visible neck swelling.
Q. Is the procedure available in the USA?
A. Yes.
Q. My surgeon says this is an experimental treatment. Is that true?
A. Surgeons have an obvious vested interest in performing surgery! This is not an experimental treatment. It has been validated and tested over many years in large series of patients and is now an established treatment performed in many countries around the world and also in a small trial at the Mayo Clinic, we also have successfully treated over 15 patients.
Q. How does it work?
A. Thyroid radiofrequency ablation is performed under local anaesthetic using a special needle which is passed into the thyroid nodule under ultrasound guidance. The tip of the needle heats up and this heating of the needle heats the adjacent thyroid tissue. This causes the nodule to subsequently shrink down over time. The ablation changes during the treatment can be seen in real time by the doctor delivering the treatment using the ultrasound machine.
Q. Is it effective?
A. The evidence for the effectiveness of RFA is well established.The maximum benefit of the treatment is achieved 6-12 months following treatment . In general, RFA can reduced the volume of a nodule by 35-60 % at 1 month following treatment and 60-90% at 6-12 months.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The treatment itself takes betwee 20-40 minutes depending on the size and location of the thyroid nodule.
Q. Is it painful?
A. Minimal to no pain is the typical experience of our patients. We do use Local anesthetic and we also give other medications as needed to make it a easily tolerated procedure.
Q. How long after the procedure can i go home?
A. Patients are able to go home 20-30 minutes after the treatment is completed. We typically give you an ice pack and some Motrin.
Q. Will i have a scar on my neck?
A. No. The treatment is delivered using a thin needle. You may have a small needle site on your neck for a couple of days after the treatment but this very soon heals and it will not leave any visible scarring.