The feasibility of high dose iodine 131 treatment as an alternative to surgery in patients with a very large goiter: Effect on thyroid function and size and pulmonary function

Some patients with very large goiters (>150 mL) are not candidates for surg ery. We evaluated the feasibility of high dose I-131 in such patients. Twen ty-three patients (2 men and 21 women; median age, 67 yr; range, 42-86 yr) with very large goiter (8 toxic) were treated with calculated high dose I-1 31 [median, 2281 megabecquerels (61.6 mCi); range, 988-4620 megabecquerels (26.7-124.9 mCi)]. During the 12-month observation period, goiter reduction and tracheal anatomy were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging, and the respiratory capacity was monitored by pulmonary function tests. Five patients (22%) developed hypothyroidism. Thyroid volumes were at basel ine, after 1 week, and after 1 yr [mean +/- SEM, 311 +/- 28, 314 +/- 26 (P = NS), and 215 +/- 26 (P < 0.01) mL]. The relative changes 1 week after the rapy ranged from -14.1% to 15.3%. After 1 yr the mean size was reduced by 3 3.9% (range, 13.5-61.4%). Only the initial goiter size showed a significant negative correlation to the percent reduction. The smallest cross-sectiona l area of the trachea decreased 9.2% within 1 week after treatment, but eve ntually emerged with a 17.9% larger area [mean +/- SEM, 84.3 +/- 4.8, 75.5 +/- 5.1 (P < 0.01), and 98.2 +/- 6.0 (P < 0.01) mm(2)]. The inspiratory par ameter, FIF50%, improved after an initial insignificant decline [baseline t herapy, after 1 week, after 3 months, and after 1 yr (mean +/- SEM), 2.37 /- 0.24, 2.20 +/- 0.21 (P = NS), 2.51 +/- 0.23 (P = NS), and 2.76 +/- 0.25 (P = 0.01) L/s]. FIF50% correlated significantly with the smallest cross-se ctional tracheal area (baseline, 1 week, and 1 yr: r = 0.74; P<0.001, r = 0 .63; P < 0.005, and r = 0.46; P < 0.05). Changes in tracheal anatomy did no t correlate with changes in either lung dynamics or goiter size. In conclus ion, very large goiters can be reduced by a third, on the average, with hig h dose I-131 therapy without any initial clinically significant tracheal co mpression. Tracheal cross-sectional area as well as pulmonary inspiratory c apacity improve. No serious adverse effects are seen.