title: Ultrasonography-guided ethanol ablation of predominantly solid thyroid nodules: a preliminary study for factors that predict the outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate in ultrasonography-guided ethanol ablation (EA) of benign, predominantly solid thyroid nodules and to assess the value of colour Doppler ultrasonography in prediction of its success.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2008 to June 2009, 30 predominantly solid thyroid nodules in 27 patients were enrolled. Differences in the success rate of EA were assessed according to nodule vascularity, nodule size, ratio of cystic component, amount of injected ethanol, degree of intranodular echo-staining just after ethanol injection and the number of EA sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On follow-up ultrasonography after EA for treatment of thyroid nodules, 16 nodules showed an excellent response (90% or greater decrease in volume) and 2 nodules showed a good response (50-90% decrease in volume) on follow-up ultrasonography. However, 5 nodules showed an incomplete response (10-50% decrease in volume) and 7 nodules showed a poor response (10% or less decrease in volume). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association of nodule vascularity (p=0.002) and degree of intranodular echo-staining just after ethanol injection (p=0.003) with a successful outcome; however, no such association was observed with regard to nodule size, ratio of cystic component, amount of infused ethanol and the number of EA sessions. No serious complications were observed during or after EA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate of EA was 60%, and nodule vascularity and intranodular echo-staining on colour Doppler ultrasonography were useful in predicting the success rate of EA for benign, predominantly solid thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwag
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol