TREATMENT OF AUTONOMOUS THYROID-NODULES WITH PERCUTANEOUS ETHANOL INJECTION - 4-YEAR EXPERIENCE

PURPOSE: To evaluate the longterm efficacy of treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules with percutaneous ethanol injection under ultrasound g uidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment was performed in 101 patient s. The mean ratio of injected ethanol volume to nodule volume was appr oximately 1.5; ethanol was usually administered in four to eight sessi ons. RESULTS: Complete cure was achieved in 59 patients. Partial cure was achieved in 34 patients. Eight patients had remission of thyrotoxi cosis but persistence of thyroid-stimulating hormone level suppression and radionuclide uptake only in the nodule. The extent of the respons e was inversely proportional to the nodule volume. Marked nodule shrin kage was observed in all groups. No recurrences were observed. Transie nt vocal cord paresis occurred in four patients, with full recovery in all cases. CONCLUSION: This method compares favorably with both surge ry and radioiodine treatment, especially when the very low prevalence of posttreatment hypothyroidism is considered.