FINE-NEEDLE BIOPSY - METHOD OF TREATMENT IN THE NODULAR PATHOLOGY OF THE THYROID

Fine needle biopsy (FNB) has been used as a therapeutic method in diff erent nodular lesions of the thyroid. Between 1989-1995, 295 subjects with thyroid cysts, 235 women and 60 men have been treated by FNB. The treatment of cysts was performed by : one or multiple aspirations in 207 cases, sclerosis by injection with tetracycline in 77 cases and by ethanol washing in 11 cases. 263 (89.11 %) cases have been cured and, ve have lost track of 32 cases in the survey. Of the 207 cases treated by aspiration, 177 (86.5 %) have been cured after one or more aspirat ions. Of the 77 cases treated by injections with tetracycline, 75 (97. 26 %) displayed sclerosis after one ol more injections. All 11 cases t reated by ethanol washing method displayed sclerosis. Between 1993-199 5 we used percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in 6 cases, as an alter native to the classic treatment, in order to induce necrosis of toxic adenoma. After 1 to 9 injections all cases were cured, with the appear ence of the entire image of the gland on the scintigram. In 4 cases of cold nodules with benign cytology PEI, induced a significant decrease of volume appreciated by sonography.