Recurrent Thyroid Cysts: Treatment with Ethanol

Is treatment of thyroid nodules and cysts with ethanol an improvement over the traditional treatment of aspiration? Thyroid nodules are prevalent, and solitary thyroid nodules that are cystic or predominately cystic and benign are usually treated by simple aspiration. The recurrence rate, however, is 10-80%, depending on the number of aspirations and the cyst volume. Researchers looked at an option that could show a better outcome...

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the instillation of ethanol on the recurrence rate of benign recurrent thyroid cysts using a double-blind randomized design. The instillation of isotonic saline served as the control treatment. Complete emptying followed the instillation of either ethanol or isotonic saline.

Results from this study suggest that treatment of recurrent thyroid cysts with ethanol is superior to simple aspiration and flushing with saline. This treatment appears to be devoid of serious side effects and represents a clinically significant nonsurgical alternative for thyroid cysts that recur despite repeated aspirations according to the study authors.

Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Treatment of Recurrent Thyroid Cysts with Ethanol: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial, Finn Noe Bennedbæk and Laszlo Hegedüs, Vol. 88, No. 12 5773-5777 December, 2003