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Cystic versus predominantly cystic thyroid nodules: efficacy of ethanol ablation and analysis of related factors

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Abstract

Objectives

To compare the efficacy of ethanol ablation (EA) of cystic and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules, and to evaluate factors affecting efficacy.

Methods

From October 2008 to December 2010, a total of 217 thyroid nodules were treated with EA. Nodule volumes, symptoms and cosmetic scores were evaluated before and after EA. EA efficacy in treating cystic and predominantly cystic nodules was compared; and factors related to EA efficacy in each type, including initial volume, solid component, vascularity, fluid nature, ethanol retention time and number of EA sessions, were evaluated.

Results

Mean nodule volume decreased from 15.7 ± 18.1 ml to 3.0 ± 7.9 ml (mean volume reduction, 85.2 ± 16.1%) and the therapeutic success rate was 90.3% at last follow-up. EA was significantly more effective in cystic than predominantly cystic nodules. Independent predictors of EA efficacy for all nodules included initial volume, solid component and vascularity. Initial volume and vascularity were independent predictors of EA efficacy in predominantly cystic nodules, but no factor was independently related to efficacy in cystic nodules.

Conclusions

EA is effective in both cystic and predominantly cystic nodules, especially the former. EA is less effective in large or vascular predominantly cystic nodules, but is effective in cystic nodules regardless of related factors.

Key Points

• Ethanol ablation under ultrasound guidance is increasingly used for cystic thyroid nodules.

• EA seems effective for cystic and predominantly cystic nodules, especially cystic nodules.

• The effectiveness of EA was reduced in large or vascular predominantly cystic nodules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Young Joong Kim, Jung Hwan Baek, Eun Ju Ha, Hyun Kyung Lim & Jeong Hyun Lee

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Tae Yong Kim, Won Bae Kim & Young Kee Shong

  3. Department of Radiology, Thyroid Center, Daerim St. Mary’s Hospital, 978-13, Daerim-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-822, South Korea

    Jin Young Sung

  4. Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 224-1, Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, South Korea

    Jae Kyun Kim

Authors
  1. Young Joong Kim
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  2. Jung Hwan Baek
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  3. Eun Ju Ha
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  4. Hyun Kyung Lim
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  5. Jeong Hyun Lee
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  6. Jin Young Sung
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  7. Jae Kyun Kim
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  8. Tae Yong Kim
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  9. Won Bae Kim
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  10. Young Kee Shong
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Correspondence to Jung Hwan Baek.

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Kim, Y.J., Baek, J.H., Ha, E.J. et al. Cystic versus predominantly cystic thyroid nodules: efficacy of ethanol ablation and analysis of related factors. Eur Radiol 22, 1573–1578 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2406-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2406-5

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