Percutaneous injection of ethanol for thyroid nodule treatment: a comparative study

ABSTRACT Objective: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs). However, size reductions of treated (TTNs) and untreated TN (UTNs) have not been compared. Volumetric reductions in TTNs with PEI were evaluated by comparing TTNs and UTNs in the same patient, and independent variables predicting good post-PEI outcomes were analyzed. Materials and methods: Overall, 282 patients with multinodular goiters were selected. Two nodules located in different lobes were compared for common disease behaviors. Overall, 150 nodules were selected from 75 patients (6 M: 69 F) with a mean age of 50.1 ± 17.4 years. This prospective nonrandomized intervention study prioritized treating TNs of greater volume or single hyperfunctioning TNs. A single observer experienced in PEI and an ultrasound specialist performed the interventions. Results and discussion: TTNs (mean volume: 14.8 ± 16.2 mL) were reduced by 72.6 ± 27.3% of their initial volume, while UTNs increased by a mean of 365.7 ± 1.403.8% (p < 0.00001). The patients underwent a mean of 4.0 ± 3.1 outpatient PEI sessions without relevant complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that the magnitude of the PEI induced reduction was associated with the number of treatment sessions (p = 0.03, CI [1.1-38.2]) and not with ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodules. Each PEI session increased the rate of TN reduction by a factor of 6.7. Conclusions: PEI is a well-tolerated outpatient procedure that effectively reduces the volume of TNs and is noticeably superior to conservative treatment for all ultrasonographic classifications.

Percutaneous ethanol injection versus conservative treatment for benign cystic and mixed thyroid nodules

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in reducing the volume of cystic and mixed thyroid nodules. Materials and methods A total of 36 patients with nodules treated with PEI and 13 individuals who declined PEI and were followed clinically or received other non surgical treatment (control group). Assessments were performed at baseline (immediately before treatment in the PEI group or evaluation of the nodule on ultrasonography in the control group) at short-term (on average 30 days after the last injection in the PEI group), and long-term (on average 14 months after baseline in the PEI group or 26 months after baseline in the control group). Results In the PEI group, the mean baseline volume of 10.4 ± 9.8 cm3 reduced at short-term follow-up to 2.9 ± 3.1 cm3 (67.7 ± 19.9%, p < 0.001) and at long-term follow-up to 2.0 ± 2.5 cm3 (78.2 ± 19.5%, p < 0.01 versus baseline and p = 0.009 versus short-term follow-up). Both types of nodules showed similar degrees of reduction. In the control group, mean volume was 5.8 ± 3.4 cm3 at baseline and 6.2 ± 3.0 cm3 at long-term follow-up (p = 0.507). Compared with the control group, the PEI group showed larger reduction (p < 0.001). Conclusions PEI is effective in reducing the volume of cystic and mixed benign thyroid nodules, with sustained long-term efficacy and better outcome when compared with conservative therapies. Treatment with PEI is a safe alternative, with minimal, transient and self-limited adverse events.

Radiofrequency versus Ethanol Ablation for Treating Predominantly Cystic Thyroid Nodules: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare single-session radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) for treating predominantly cystic thyroid nodules (PCTNs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind, randomized trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board of two centers and informed consent was obtained from all patients before enrollment. Fifty patients with a single PCTN (cystic portion less than 90% and greater than 50%) were randomly assigned to be treated by either RFA (25 patients) or EA (25 patients) at two hospitals. The primary outcome was the tumor volume reduction ratio (%) at the six-month follow-up and the superiority margin was set at 13% (RFA minus EA). Analysis was performed primarily in an intention-to-treat manner. The secondary outcomes were the therapeutic success rate, improvement of symptomatic and cosmetic problems, and the number of major complications. RESULTS: The mean volume reduction was 87.5 ± 11.5% for RFA (n = 22) and 82.4 ± 28.6% for EA (n = 24) (p = 0.710; mean difference [95% confidence interval], 5.1% [-8.0 to 18.2]), indicating no significant difference. Regarding the secondary outcomes, therapeutic success (p = 0.490), mean symptom (p = 0.205) and cosmetic scores (p = 0.710) showed no difference. There were no major complications in either group (p > 0.99). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic efficacy of RFA is not superior to that of EA; therefore, EA might be preferable as the first-line treatment for PCTNs.

Evaluation of percutaneous ethanol injections in benign thyroid nodules / Avaliação do tratamento com injeção percutânea com etanol em nódulos benignos de tireoide

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Subjects and methods We evaluated 120 patients with benign thyroid nodules. Patients underwent evaluation of serum TSH and free T4, cervical ultrasound, and thyroid scintigraphy (in those with suppressed TSH levels). The application of sterile ethanol 99% was guided by ultrasound, with the injected volume amounting to one-third of the nodule volume. Response was considered complete (reduction of 90%); partial (reduction between 50 and 90%); or none (reduction of < 50%). Autonomous nodules were evaluated for normalization of TSH levels. Results Among the nodules studied, 30.8% were solid, 56.7% were mixed, 12.5% were cystic, and 21.6% were hyperfunctioning. The initial volume of the treated nodules ranged from 0.9 to 74.8 mL (mean 13.1 ± 12.4 mL). We performed 1-8 sessions of PEI, applying an average of 6.2 mL of ethanol for patient. After 2 years of follow-up, 17% of patients achieved a complete response (94% reduction); 53%, a partial response (70% reduction); and 30%, no response. A reduction in the volume of autonomous nodules was noted in 70% of cases, and 54% had a normalized value of TSH. The main side effect is local pain, lasting less than 24 hours in most cases. Conclusion This study showed that PEI is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of benign, solid or mixed thyroid nodules. Most cases resulted in significant reduction in nodule volume, with normalization of thyroid function. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):912-7 .

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia e segurança da injeção percutânea de etanol (IPE) no tratamento de nódulos tireoidianos benignos. Sujeitos e métodos Foram avaliados 120 pacientes com nódulos benignos de tireoide. Todos realizaram dosagens de TSH, T4 livre, ecografia cervical (US) e cintilografia de tireoide (em pacientes com TSH suprimido). A aplicação de etanol estéril a 99% foi guiada por US e o volume de etanol injetado correspondeu a um terço do volume nodular calculado. A resposta foi considerada completa (redução de 90%); parcial (redução entre 50 e 90%) ou ausência de resposta (redução menor que 50%). Nos nódulos autônomos, foi avaliada a normalização do TSH. Resultados Entre os nódulos estudados, 30,8% eram sólidos, 56,7% eram mistos, 12,5% eram císticos e 21,6%, nódulos hiperfuncionantes. O volume inicial dos nódulos tratados variou de 0,9 a 74,8 mL (média 13,1 ± 12,4 mL). Foram realizadas de 1 a 8 sessões de IPE (média 2,8), com aplicação média de 6,2 mL de etanol por paciente. Após dois anos de seguimento, 17% dos pacientes obtiveram resposta completa (redução de 94%), 53% obtiveram resposta parcial (redução de 70%) e 30% não responderam. Houve redução de volume nos nódulos autônomos em 70% dos casos, e 54% normalizaram o valor do TSH. Os efeitos colaterais registrados foram decorrentes apenas do desconforto no local de aplicação. Conclusão Este trabalho mostrou que a IPE é um procedimento seguro e eficaz para tratamento de nódulos benignos, sólidos ou mistos de tireoide. ...

Alcoolização de nódulo tiroidiano em região endêmica de bócio colóide / Alcoholization in the treatment of thyroid nodule in colloid goiter endemic region

A doença nodular tiroidiana é problema clínico comum, principalmente em regiões com carência de iodo. Esse estudo avaliou a eficácia da injeção percutânea de etanol (IPE) no tratamento de nódulos tiroidianos únicos, múltiplos, sólidos, císticos, de diferentes tamanhos com ou sem disfunção glandular, em região endêmica de bócio. Quarenta e dois pacientes com diagnóstico de bócio colóide ou hiperplasia nodular colóide, na punção biópsia aspirativa por agulha fina (PBAAF), foram selecionados para análise após terem sido submetidos a pelo menos duas IPEs. Os nódulos tiroidianos eram múltiplos (sólidos e ou císticos) em 52,4 por cento dos pacientes, únicos e sólidos ou mistos em 35,7 por cento e únicos e císticos em 11,9 por cento. A redução média dos nódulos após injeção de etanol foi de 58,2 por cento para os únicos e 60,8 por cento nos císticos. Nos nódulos múltiplos, avaliou-se a redução de todo o lobo tiroidiano, alcançando 52,4 por cento de redução. Os efeitos colaterais registrados foram decorrentes apenas do desconforto na aplicação. Este estudo indica que a injeção percutânea de etanol (IPE), alcançando reduções médias de volume que variam de 49 a 60 por cento, é método seguro, eficaz e simples para o tratamento de nódulos tiroidianos benignos.

Thyroid nodular disease is a common clinical disorder mainly in iodine lacking regions. This study has evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of single, multiple, solid, and cystic thyroid nodules of different sizes with or without glandular dysfunction, in goiter endemic region. Forty-two patients with diagnosis of colloid goiter or colloid nodular hyperplasia in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) were selected for analysis, after having been submitted to at least two PEI. Thyroid nodules were multiple (solid and or cystic) in 52.4 percent of the patients, single and solid or mixed in 35.7 percent, and single and cystic in 11.9 percent. The mean reduction of nodules after ethanol injection was of 58.2 percent in the single and of 60.8 percent in the cystic ones. The reduction of the whole thyroid lobe was evaluated in the multiple nodules and it reached 52.4 percent. The side-effects were registered only as a consequence of the application discomfort. This study points out that the percutaneous ethanol injection reaching volume mean reductions, varying from 49 percent to 60 percent, is a safe, effective, and simple method for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Evaluación clínica y tratamiento quirúrgico del nódulo tiroídeo / Clinical evaluation and surgical treatment of the thyroid nodule

Objetivo: presentar nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico de la patología nodular del tiroides, sus indicaciones quirúrgicas y tratamientos efectuados, además del control y sobrevida en los casos de cáncer de tiroides. Material y método: 494 pacientes tiroidectomizados (343 lesiones nodulares benignas (NB), 151casos de cáncer de tiroides (CT) efectuadas por el autor, en un período de 15 años (1980-1996). Se analiza la patología nodular del tiroides que fue sometida a cirugía, efectuándose un estudio comparativo entre las lesiones benignas y malignas. Resultados: no hay diferencias entre lesiones nodulares benignas y malignas en relación a edad, sexo y tiempo de evolución. Citología: sensibilidad obtenida 77,8 por ciento y especificidad 64,7 por ciento; 19 por ciento de NB fueron menores de 3 cm versus 27 por ciento en CT; 34 por ciento de los nódulos fríos y 36 por ciento de los nódulos sólidos correspondieron a CT. En 63 por ciento de los NB se efectuó lobectomía más istmectomía; en CT 72 por ciento fueron tiroidectomías totales o subtotales. Sobrevida estimada en CT: 93 por ciento a 15 años con cirugía y radioyodo postoperatorio. Complicaciones: 1 por ciento lesión nervio recurrente y 1,4 por ciento hipoparatiroidismo definitivo. No hay diferencias significativas al comparar concentraciones de tiroglobulinemia (Tg) postoperatorias entre lobectomía más istmectomía versus tiroidectomía total (p= 0,9447). Conclusiones: citología positiva para células neoplásicas o nódulo frío y sólido fueron la indicación esencial de cirugía. Sigue siendo discutible la cirugía en nódulos de menos de 3 cm con citología negativa. Sobrevida en CT muy satisfactoria con tratamiento efectuado (cirugía más radioyodo). El seguimiento con Tg es confiable, independientemente del remanente tiroideo, sin suspensión de hormona tiroidea

Assessment of levothyroxine suppressive therapy in patients with solitary thyroid nodules: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine (LT4) on the volume of clinically solitary thyroid nodules, assessing possible correlations between response to therapy and clinical and laboratory parameters. Forty-eight euthyroid patients with a single palpable thyroid nodule (non-autonomous on thyroid scanning, solid or predominantly solid on ultrasonography (US), and benign by fine-needle aspiration biopsy), were followed for 1 year at 3-month intervals. The study group was randomly divided to receive LT4 (200 or 250mcg/day) or placebo, in tablets that were externally identifical. Nodule size was determined by palpation and by US every 6-month. Measurements of T3, T4, TSH, thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid antibodies were performed at baseline and repeated after 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy, whereas thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test was carried out at 6 months. The number of nodules that decreased in volume on US was not significantly different between the two groups. The mean nodule volume decreased significantly at 6 months in the LT4-treated group, but did not remain significant at 12 months. In the placebo group, the mean nodule volume showed a progressive and significant increase during the study. No correlation was found between clinical and US measurements of the nodules. In the treatment group, nodule size changes were correlated to the scintigraphic characteristics of the nodules. We conclude that LT4 is not effective in reducing the size of most solitary thyroid nodules after 12 months of treatment, although some may shrink or stop to grow after LT4. Further studies are necessary to identify clinical or biochemical variables that could potentially identify the sub-group of responsive nodules.