ECE2019 Poster Presentations Thyroid 3 (74 abstracts)
1Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain; 2Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Spain.
Introduction: Simple aspiration is the first-line treatment used for benign cystic thyroid nodules. However, a high recurrence rate has been reported with this procedure. When this happens, percutaneous ethanol injection into the nodules has proven to be an effective technique which can reach a volume reduction of about 85% (Kim et al., Eur Radiol. 2012 Jul;22(7):15738).
Material and methods: Descriptive analysis of percutaneous 96° ethanol injection into mainly cystic thyroid nodules with a benign cytology (Bethesda 2) and an ineffective simple aspiration, performed in our centre between 20152018. Eight patients were included (women 87.5%; mean age 49.1±14.0 years). Thyroid function was normal and anti-thyroid antibodies were negative in all the cases. Thyroid nodule volume was estimated with three diameters, obtained by ultrasound, in exams practised before and at 3 and 6 months after ethanol injection. Results are given as median (P25-P75) and as mean±S.D.
Results: The amount of ethanol injected was 5 ml (37.5). Initial thyroid nodule volume was 13.4 cc (8.022.8). Final thyroid nodule volume was 1.7 cc (0.22.6), which means a 84.6% (78.799.3) reduction in our cohort (P<0.05). During procedure, only one patient presented local pain that responded to non-estheroidal anti-inflamatories and low dose corticotherapy. Recurrence was not detected in any case in a 8 month (59) follow-up and only one patient needed to repeat the procedure.
Conclusion: Percutaneous 96° ethanol ablation in cystic thyroid nodules is a very effective treatment to reach a permanent volume reduction with both a low complication rate and a low recurrence rate. Our results are similar to those reported previously with wider series from experienced centres.