Percutaneous intranodular ethanol injection for treatment of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study is the assessment of percutaneous intranodular ethanol injection (PNEI) as an alternative therapeutic procedure to classic surgery and radioiodine administration in autonomously functioning thyroid nodule treatment.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with hot nodules (18 pretoxic and 19 toxic) have been treated by means of PNEI under ultrasonographic guide. Ninety-five percent ethanol in a mean dose of 25 ml has been used.


RESULTS
Nearly 80% of the patients showed normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and a complete recovery of extranodular tissue at scintiscan. All nodules decreased strikingly in size, many becoming undetectable. Mild and transient side effects were seen in 9% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PNEI seems to be a feasible procedure on outpatients. It is safe when performed by a well-trained staff using ultrasonographic control. It may be carried out at any age and in patients at risk for surgery. PNEI can be considered a useful alternative to surgery and radioiodine administration in all autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and particularly in pretoxic nodules.
Martino
E
E
Instituto di Endocrinologia and Clinica Chirurgica, University of Pisa, Italy.
Murtas
M L
ML
Loviselli
A
A
Piga
M
M
Petrini
L
L
Miccoli
P
P
Pacini
F
F
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001323:Autoantibodies; D000431:Ethanol; D013972:Thyrotropin