Efeito da injeção percutânea de etanol na redução de nódulos tireoideanos

Percutaneous injection of ethanol for thyroid nodule treatment: a comparative study

Objective

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs). However, size reductions of treated (TTNs) and untreated TN (UTNs) have not been compared. Volumetric reductions in TTNs with PEI were evaluated by comparing TTNs and UTNs in the same patient, and independent variables predicting good post-PEI outcomes were analyzed.

Methods

Overall, 282 patients with multinodular goiters were selected. Two nodules located in different lobes were compared for common disease behaviors. Overall, 150 nodules were selected from 75 patients (6 M: 69 F) with a mean age of 50.1 ± 17.4 years. This prospective nonrandomized intervention study prioritized treating TNs of greater volume or single hyperfunctioning TNs. A single observer experienced in PEI and an ultrasound specialist performed the interventions.

Results

TTNs (mean volume: 14.8 ± 16.2 mL) were reduced by 72.6 ± 27.3% of their initial volume, while UTNs increased by a mean of 365.7 ± 1.403.8% (p < 0.00001). The patients underwent a mean of 4.0 ± 3.1 outpatient PEI sessions without relevant complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that the magnitude of the PEI induced reduction was associated with the number of treatment sessions (p = 0.03, CI [1.1-38.2]) and not with ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodules. Each PEI session increased the rate of TN reduction by a factor of 6.7.

Conclusion

PEI is a well-tolerated outpatient procedure that effectively reduces the volume of TNs and is noticeably superior to conservative treatment for all ultrasonographic classifications.

Percutaneous ethanol injection versus conservative treatment for benign cystic and mixed thyroid nodules

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in reducing the volume of cystic and mixed thyroid nodules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 patients with nodules treated with PEI and 13 individuals who declined PEI and were followed clinically or received other non surgical treatment (control group). Assessments were performed at baseline (immediately before treatment in the PEI group or evaluation of the nodule on ultrasonography in the control group) at short-term (on average 30 days after the last injection in the PEI group), and long-term (on average 14 months after baseline in the PEI group or 26 months after baseline in the control group).

RESULTS

In the PEI group, the mean baseline volume of 10.4 ± 9.8 cm3 reduced at short-term follow-up to 2.9 ± 3.1 cm3 (67.7 ± 19.9%, p < 0.001) and at long-term follow-up to 2.0 ± 2.5 cm3 (78.2 ± 19.5%, p < 0.01 versus baseline and p = 0.009 versus short-term follow-up). Both types of nodules showed similar degrees of reduction. In the control group, mean volume was 5.8 ± 3.4 cm3 at baseline and 6.2 ± 3.0 cm3 at long-term follow-up (p = 0.507). Compared with the control group, the PEI group showed larger reduction (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PEI is effective in reducing the volume of cystic and mixed benign thyroid nodules, with sustained long-term efficacy and better outcome when compared with conservative therapies. Treatment with PEI is a safe alternative, with minimal, transient and self-limited adverse events.

Evaluation of percutaneous ethanol injections in benign thyroid nodules

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 120 patients with benign thyroid nodules. Patients underwent evaluation of serum TSH and free T4, cervical ultrasound, and thyroid scintigraphy (in those with suppressed TSH levels). The application of sterile ethanol 99% was guided by ultrasound, with the injected volume amounting to one-third of the nodule volume. Response was considered complete (reduction of 90%); partial (reduction between 50 and 90%); or none (reduction of < 50%). Autonomous nodules were evaluated for normalization of TSH levels.

RESULTS

Among the nodules studied, 30.8% were solid, 56.7% were mixed, 12.5% were cystic, and 21.6% were hyperfunctioning. The initial volume of the treated nodules ranged from 0.9 to 74.8 mL (mean 13.1 ± 12.4 mL). We performed 1-8 sessions of PEI, applying an average of 6.2 mL of ethanol for patient. After 2 years of follow-up, 17% of patients achieved a complete response (94% reduction); 53%, a partial response (70% reduction); and 30%, no response. A reduction in the volume of autonomous nodules was noted in 70% of cases, and 54% had a normalized value of TSH. The main side effect is local pain, lasting less than 24 hours in most cases.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that PEI is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of benign, solid or mixed thyroid nodules. Most cases resulted in significant reduction in nodule volume, with normalization of thyroid function.

Esclerose: uma opção de tratamento para os nódulos tireoidianos císticos

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da injeção percutânea de etanol guiada por ultra-sonografia no tratamento dos nódulos tireoidianos císticos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Comparou-se o volume de 34 nódulos benignos císticos, em 30 pacientes (26 do sexo feminino e quatro do sexo masculino), antes e uma média de 3,9 meses depois da alcoolização. O volume inicial dos nódulos foi avaliado por dois observadores, que realizaram a ultra-sonografia em momentos diferentes, sem qualquer informação prévia a respeito do tamanho dos nódulos, cuja finalidade foi conhecer a variação interobservador das medidas ecográficas. RESULTADOS: A média de volume dos nódulos antes do tratamento foi de 12,3 ± 18,0 ml. A média de redução de volume foi de 74,0 ± 26,1% (p = 0,0001), e 20,6% (7/34) deles desapareceram. Não houve correlação entre o volume inicial e o percentual de redução dos nódulos. A média de variação das medidas interobservadores foi de 0,5 ml para um alfa de 5%. Dor moderada, no momento da aplicação, foi a complicação mais freqüente. CONCLUSÃO: A injeção percutânea de etanol é uma opção segura e eficaz no tratamento dos nódulos tireoidianos císticos.