Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation Episodes

Most patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer are told there are only two paths: surgery, or active surveillance. A first-in-human clinical trial at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and MD Anderson Cancer Center is testing whether a third option exists. Researchers are evaluating nsPFA (nanosecond pulsed field ablation) — already FDA-cleared for benign thyroid nodules — to determine whether it can safely and effectively treat papillary thyroid microcarcinoma without surgery and without thermal damage. The research is led by Dr. Ralph Tufano, Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgeon at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, and Dr. Victoria Banuchi, Associate Professor of Head & Neck Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Tufano reached out personally to help spread awareness of the trial to patients who may qualify. Currently, patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer are typically offered surgery, which removes part or all of the thyroid, or active surveillance, which m…

Does nsPFA actually last? Until now, that question didn't have a real answer. In this episode, Professor Stefano Spiezia joins Jennifer Holkem to break down the 22-month durability data on nsPFA — non-thermal pulsed field ablation for thyroid nodules — presented at the 2026 NASIT meeting in Portland. Professor Spiezia is head of the Division of Endocrine and Ultrasound Guided Surgery at the Sea Hospital in Naples, Italy, and conducted the first-in-human feasibility study of nsPFA for thyroid nodules. He's also director of the Save Your Thyroid International School for Interventional Thyroid Procedures. In this episode, they cover: ✅ The 22-month durability data: zero nodule regrowth, 74% average volume reduction, and no serious adverse events ✅ How nsPFA works differently from RFA and microwave ablation — a non-thermal mechanism that triggers regulated cell death instead of burning tissue ✅ Why nsPFA nodules kept shrinking over time instead of plateauing, unlike thermal ablat…

For most thyroid patients, the path from diagnosis to treatment moves fast — sometimes too fast to stop and ask whether there's another way. Emily Saska's story started with a back scan. An incidental finding. A nodule she had never felt, never thought about, and never seen coming. Within weeks it was growing rapidly, visibly bulging in her neck, and she was sitting in an exam room being referred directly to a general surgeon — with no mention that any other option existed. Emily went home and Googled. She found the Save Your Thyroid community. She found Dr. Emad Kandil at Tulane University in New Orleans — an hour from her home in Baton Rouge. And she chose nanosecond pulsed field ablation — nsPFA — instead of surgery. The procedure happened on her 37th birthday. Her last memory before counting backwards from 10 was telling Dr. Kandil: happy birthday to me, hope you had your coffee. Three days later she was in Puerto Rico with her family. All she had was a band-aid. Six w…

Can you treat a thyroid nodule without heat or surgery? In this milestone episode of Save Your Thyroid, Jennifer Holkem welcomes back pioneer Dr. Emad Kandil, Chief of Endocrine Surgery at Tulane University, to celebrate a massive clinical achievement: completing over 100 cases using nPulse™ nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA). While Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA) use thermal energy (heat) to destroy nodules, nPulse is a non-thermal technology that uses ultra-fast electrical pulses to trigger apoptosis—natural cell death—at the cellular level. This means faster recovery, less post-op pain, and a new level of safety for nodules located near "danger zones" like the recurrent laryngeal nerve. 🔬 What We Cover in This Episode: -Thermal vs. Non-Thermal: Why "nanopores" are changing the game for precision and safety. -The 100-Case Milestone: Real-world clinical insights into patient recovery, NSAID use, and rapid volume reduction (often 70%+ in just o…

In this episode of Save Your Thyroid, host Jennifer Holkem interviews Natalie Suarez, who shares her personal journey with thyroid nodules and her experience with nanosecond pulse field ablation (nsPFA). The conversation covers Natalie's initial diagnosis, the challenges of navigating medical opinions and biopsies, and her decision to pursue nsPFA as a non-surgical treatment option. Natalie details her procedure day experience, recovery, and the positive outcomes she has experienced since the tr...

In this conversation, Astra Mathis shares her personal journey with thyroid nodules and her experience with nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA). The discussion covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and the decision-making process for choosing non-surgical options over traditional thyroidectomy. Astra details the procedure itself, her recovery, and the significant reduction in her nodule size, emphasizing the benefits of nsPFA. The conversation concludes with Astra offering advice to others considering similar treatments and reflecting on her overall experience.

In this conversation, Dr. Richard Harding discusses the advancements in thyroid nodule treatment, focusing on two primary techniques: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (NSPFA). He explains the mechanisms, benefits, and patient experiences associated with each method, emphasizing the safety and efficacy of NSPFA, especially in delicate areas near critical structures like the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The discussion also covers patient feedback, ideal candidates for each procedure, and the future of these technologies in mainstream thyroid care.

Today, we’re talking about how new 3D ultrasound technology is giving doctors a clearer, more accurate view of the thyroid and helping patients get better answers faster. Joining me is Dr. Alireza Falahati — a Mayo Clinic–trained, board-certified endocrinologist with a specialized focus on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid and parathyroid tumors. He was the first U.S. physician to implement the advanced 3D Ultrasound System by PIUR Imaging.

In this episode, Dr. Ralph P. Tufano discusses the innovative non-thermal treatment for thyroid nodules known as Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA). This technique offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional thermal ablation methods, focusing on preserving healthy thyroid tissue while effectively reducing the size of benign nodules. The conversation covers the mechanism of action, patient selection criteria, efficacy, and the overall patient experience during and after the procedure. Dr. Tufano emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and the need for ongoing research in this evolving field of thyroid care.

Dr. Ralph Tufano and Dr. Juan Camacho collaborate to bring multiple thyroid nodule treatment options to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System. These include: Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Echolaser Ablation (LA/PLA) Microwave Ablation (MWA) Cryoablation Thyroid Arterial Embolization (TAE) Traditional thyroid surgery Scarless thyroid surgery (and just added) Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA) This episode is a great resource to give general guidance on when each of the nonsurgical tr...