title: Percutaneous ethanol injection efficacy in the treatment of large symptomatic thyroid cystic nodules: ten-year follow-up of a large series.
abstract: We present a prospective study on the long-term efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) treatment of a large series of symptomatic thyroid cystic nodules (STCN). Ninety-eight patients (72 females and 26 males) were treated. The mean basal volume of the STCN was 35.3 mL. In 92 of 98 patients PEI treatment induced a greater than 50% nodule shrinkage, only 6 of 92 responder patients relapsed at a follow-up of 9 years. Moreover, all the patients had a significant clinical benefit because a significant reduction of the cyst-associated symptoms was recorded. Furthermore, a limited number of sessions was required for the treatment of cysts larger than 40 mL (mean +/- standard deviation [SD]: 2.7 +/- 0.75) demonstrating the feasibility of the procedure also in the treatment of large cysts. In conclusion, PEI is an effective and inexpensive procedure with a high patient compliance and long-lasting effects in the treatment of cysts larger than 40 mL.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio di Frattamaggiore, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caraglia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuberti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lupoli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Addeo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossiello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capasso
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol