ABSTRACT
The management of benign cystic and mixed solid and cystic thyroid nodules remains controversial. We intended to evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided single dose percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of benign cystic and mixed solid and cystic thyroid noduies. We studied 12 patients with purely cystic and 20 patients with mixed solid and cystic thyroid nodules demonsrated by ultrasonography. The diameter of the nodules and the thyroid functions of the patients were recorded. Under direct sonographic control a 20-gauge needle was inserted into the nodule and material was aspirated. Then 96% sterile ethanol was injected on the basis of the aspirated fluid volume. The patients were reevaluated 1, 2, 3 and 6 months later. The mean diameter of the cystic thyroid nodules was 35.518.0 mm before the treatment and was 10.3±4.0 mm 6 months later. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean diameter of the mixed thyroid noduies was 28.5±6.0 mm before the treatment and was 24.8±6.0 mm 6 months later. The difference wasn't significant (p>0.5). We concluded that ultrasound guided single dose percutaneous ethanol injection is a safe, low-cost and effective procedure in the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules.
The management of benign cystic and mixed solid and cystic thyroid nodules remains controversial. We intended to evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided single dose percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of benign cystic and mixed solid and cystic thyroid noduies. We studied 12 patients with purely cystic and 20 patients with mixed solid and cystic thyroid nodules demonsrated by ultrasonography. The diameter of the nodules and the thyroid functions of the patients were recorded. Under direct sonographic control a 20-gauge needle was inserted into the nodule and material was aspirated. Then 96% sterile ethanol was injected on the basis of the aspirated fluid volume. The patients were reevaluated 1, 2, 3 and 6 months later. The mean diameter of the cystic thyroid nodules was 35.518.0 mm before the treatment and was 10.3±4.0 mm 6 months later. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean diameter of the mixed thyroid noduies was 28.5±6.0 mm before the treatment and was 24.8±6.0 mm 6 months later. The difference wasn't significant (p>0.5). We concluded that ultrasound guided single dose percutaneous ethanol injection is a safe, low-cost and effective procedure in the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules.