ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF PERCUTANEOUS ETHANOL INJECTION IN AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING THYROID-NODULES BY COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an effective treatment for aut onomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs). The aims,of this Study were to assess: (1) the ultrasound (US) and colour-coded duplex sonogr aphy (CCDS) baseline and post-therapy patterns of AFTN, and (2) the co ntribution of CCDS in determining the efficacy and optimum duration of PEI. Forty AFTNs were evaluated by US and CCDS before, during and 6 a nd 12 months after PEI. Four grades of increasing vascularity were arb itrarily identified at CCS (O-1-2-3). These data were compared with th yroid scintiscan and hormonal findings. All nodules showed a striking volume decrease. After treatment a hypoechoic pattern and blurred outl ines on US were associated with a higher percentage volume reduction. Soon after PEI a reduction in the vascularity score was noticed in 29 of 40 of AFTNs. Pre- and post-treatment vascular score distributions w ere significantly different. It is concluded that a vascular score dec rease to grade 0-1 at the end of PEI is an index of successful treatme nt.