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Endocrine Abstracts (2019) 63 P1181 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.63.P1181

ECE2019 Poster Presentations Thyroid 3 (74 abstracts)

Ethanol ablation of cystic thyroid nodules: an effective and not aggressive treatment

Iñigo Hernando 1 , Julián Cuesta 2 , Alberto Mingo 1 , Sara Jiménez 1 , Mónica Marazuela 1 , Miguel Antonio Sampedro-Núñez 1 & Marcos Lahera 1


1Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain; 2Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Spain.


Introduction: Simple aspiration is the first-line treatment used for benign cystic thyroid nodules. However, a high recurrence rate has been reported with this procedure. When this happens, percutaneous ethanol injection into the nodules has proven to be an effective technique which can reach a volume reduction of about 85% (Kim et al., Eur Radiol. 2012 Jul;22(7):1573–8).

Material and methods: Descriptive analysis of percutaneous 96° ethanol injection into mainly cystic thyroid nodules with a benign cytology (Bethesda 2) and an ineffective simple aspiration, performed in our centre between 2015–2018. Eight patients were included (women 87.5%; mean age 49.1±14.0 years). Thyroid function was normal and anti-thyroid antibodies were negative in all the cases. Thyroid nodule volume was estimated with three diameters, obtained by ultrasound, in exams practised before and at 3 and 6 months after ethanol injection. Results are given as median (P25-P75) and as mean±S.D.

Results: The amount of ethanol injected was 5 ml (3–7.5). Initial thyroid nodule volume was 13.4 cc (8.0–22.8). Final thyroid nodule volume was 1.7 cc (0.2–2.6), which means a 84.6% (78.7–99.3) reduction in our cohort (P<0.05). During procedure, only one patient presented local pain that responded to non-estheroidal anti-inflamatories and low dose corticotherapy. Recurrence was not detected in any case in a 8 month (5–9) follow-up and only one patient needed to repeat the procedure.

Conclusion: Percutaneous 96° ethanol ablation in cystic thyroid nodules is a very effective treatment to reach a permanent volume reduction with both a low complication rate and a low recurrence rate. Our results are similar to those reported previously with wider series from experienced centres.

Volume 63

21st European Congress of Endocrinology

Lyon, France
18 May 2019 - 21 May 2019

European Society of Endocrinology 

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