Effect of percutaneous ethanol injection in treatment of non-functioning benign solid thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective: Percutaneous Ethanol Injection (PEI) is a simple effective procedure especially in the treatment of autonomous and cystic thyroid nodules. In this study, we investigated the effect of PEI in volume reduction of nonfunctioning benign solid thyroid nodules. Methodology: In a prospective study, 62 euthyroid patients with benign thyroid nodules were selected consecutively by endocrinologist from those being visited at endocrinology clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran during January 2007 to January 2008. The injection volume was set as two third of the nodule total size in cm(3) according to the ultrasonographic measurements with an upper limit volume of 10cc. The patients were followed up one week after injection for possible complications, and then 3 and 6 months later for evaluation of efficacy of intervention by ultrasound. Student t and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis and a P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant Results: The data of 57 patients was used in the final analysis among which 5(8.8%) were male and 52(91.2%) were female. After six months of follow-up, the reduction in nodule size was < 30% in 15(26.3%) patients, between 31% and 50% in 14(24.6%) patients, and more than 50% in 28(49.1%) patients which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Local pain in first week after injection was the main complication. Conclusion: Percutaneous Ethanol Injection (PEI) therapy can be a safe and effective method in the treatment of benign solid nonfunctioning thyroid nodules.