Learning objectives
To depict the technique,
indications and main complications of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol ablation (EA) of the benign thyroid nodule.
To show the results obtained in our hospital.
Background
Thyroid nodules are a frequent clinical problem due to the increased use of ultrasonography (US).
Despite most of them are benign and do not require treatment,
some benign nodules may require treatment because of clinic or cosmetic problems [1].
Although surgical treatment is the elective treatment it has disadvantages such as general anesthesia,
postoperative,
scar formation,
increased cost,
risk of temporary/permanent complications,
and iatrogenic hypothyroidism.
Therefore,
during the past two decades nonsurgical minimally invasive treatment methods have been introduced: percutaneous ethanol ablation (EA) and radiofrequency...
Findings and procedure details
Our experience with percutaneous EA consists of 7 patients with benign (anatomopathological diagnosis) cystic or mixed predominantly cystic thyroid nodules who were admitted to our medical center between March 2016 until the present.
Patients were complaining about either cosmetic or pressure symptoms.
The EA procedure was performed as we have already explained by one of the two neuroradiologists of our service,
with 10 and 15 years of thyroid US experience.
No major or minor complications were observed.
Follow-up and outcome assessment
We performed ultrasound controls...
Conclusion
Our experience shows that ethanolization is an effective,
safe,
cheap and simple alternative to surgery in the treatment of the benign thyroid nodule.
References
Shin J,
Baek J,
Ha E,
Lee J.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: Basic Principles and Clinical Application.
Int J Endocrinol.
2012;2012:91965.
Ozderya A,
Aydin K,
Gokkaya N,
Temizkan S.
Percutaneous ethanol injection for benign cystic and mixed thyroid nodules.
Endocr Pract.
2018 Jun;24(6):548-55
Sung JY,
Kim YS,
Choi H,
Lee JH,
Baek JH.
Optimum first-line treatment technique for benign cystic thyroid nodules: ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation? Am J Roentgenol.
2011 Feb;196(2):W210
Baek JH,
Ha EJ,
Choi YJ,
Sung JY,
Kim JK,
Shong YK....