Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous polidocanol sclerotherapy in benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous polidocanol injection (PPI) in treatment of predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 111 patients with 122 benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules inducing pressure symptoms or cosmetic problems. The nodules were randomized to a single aspiration with (n = 61) or without (n = 61) subsequent PPI and followed up after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Ten patients (12 nodules) declined to follow up after aspiration in group 2. Nodule volumes, symptoms scores, and cosmetic scores were evaluated before and after treatment. The therapeutic success rate and safety of PPI for treatment of predominantly cystic thyroid nodules were also evaluated.

RESULTS: In the PPI group, the nodule volumes were reduced from 13.67 ± 9.90 to 2.60 ± 2.66 (p < .001). Therapeutic success rate (nodule volume reduction >50%) was obtained in 57 of 61 (93.44%) nodules in the PPI group, compared to seven of 49 (14.29%) in the aspiration group (p < .001). In the aspiration group, the nodule volume was not significantly reduced. The reduction in symptom scores was significantly higher in the PPI group (from 3.60 ± 1.65 to 1.60 ± 1.19) than in the aspiration group (from 3.62 ± 1.89 to 3.30 ± 1.06) (p < .001, between groups). The reduction in cosmetic scores showed a significant difference between groups (p < .001). In total, 4.92% of patients (3/61) in the PPI group and 85.71% (42/49) in the aspiration group showed recurrence during the follow-up period. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between groups (p < .001). No major side-effects occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: US-guided PPI of benign recurrent predominantly cystic thyroid nodules is effective and safe. PPI is an important alternative to benign recurrent predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.