Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).Methods: During a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5-11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.Results: In 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non-Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.Conclusions: TAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.

Interventional Radiology Board Examination Experience in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19

“…While pilot examinations could be helpful to compare the virtual examination with the in-person one, no pilot examination was conducted due to time constraints. Despite the benefit of the virtual examination, the candidates prefer the inperson experience, which is contrary to the findings reported by Chaurasia et al (1).…”

“…A recent study by Yilmaz et al (1) found that TAE is safe and effective for the management of NG. However, minor complications occurred in 44.6% (25/56) of the patients, and major complications occurred in 3.6% (2/56) of the patients.…”

“…Portomesenteric venous occlusion can have devastating consequences, including variceal hemorrhage from portal hypertension (1). Recanalization via the use of symmetric, uniformly sized, endovascular stents has been shown to be safe and effective in patients with acute and chronic…”

General Principles for the Safe Performance, Training, and Adoption of Ablation Techniques for Benign Thyroid Nodules: An American Thyroid Association Statement

“…Therefore, thyroidectomy remains the mainstay treatment for large, symptomatic multinodular goiters. However, if surgery is contraindicated or refused, a staged ablative approach or thyroid arterial embolization 22 could be considered in carefully selected patients as adjunctive locoregional therapy for symptom palliation. RFA can interfere with a pacemaker, implanted cardiac defibrillator, or cochlear implant, and the presence of such devices is a relative contraindication to RFA, although, in such cases, bipolar electrodes or alternative TA techniques may be used.…”

Thyroid artery embolization of large solitary symptomatic benign thyroid nodules through transradial approach

“…Yilmaz et al ( 5 ) successfully used transfemoral thyroid artery embolization (TAE) to treat large thyroid nodules with considerable volume reduction. Compared with transfemoral access (TFA), transradial access (TRA) is becoming more widely accepted for various neurointerventional diagnoses and therapy procedures ( 6 - 8 ).…”