A preliminary prospective study on the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous lauromacrogol sclerotherapy in benign cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous lauromacrogol injection (PLI) in treatment of cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Methods: A total of 114 cystic thyroid nodules and 61 predominantly cystic thyroid nodules with pain or uncomfort or aesthetic complaints were offered PLI. Therapeutic success rates and side effects were evaluated. From October 2012 to December 2015,114 patients with cystic thyroid nodules and 61 with predominantly cystic thyroid nodules with pain or uncomfortable or aesthetic complaints at the outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were offered percutaneous lauromacrogol sclerotherapy. Cytological results were benign. This study was a prospective trial. Ultrasonography sound examination was performed in all patients before treatment. The baseline data of all the patients and the data of the patients examined at the follow-up of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were analyzed. Therapeutic success rate (nodule volume reduction >50%) and safety were observed. The data of nodule volume reduction ratio and the function of thyroid were normal distribution and analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and t test. The data of nodule volume, symptoms score and cosmetic score were skewed distribution, which were indicated with median and analyzed by nonparamentic test. Results: The mean volume of the cystic thyroid nodules was reduced from 12.5 cm(3) before PLI to 0.2 cm(3) at 12 months after PLI (χ(2)=266.175, P<0.001), with a therapeutic success rate of 100%, and the mean volume of the predominantly cystic thyroid nodules was reduced from 10.5 cm(3) before PLI to 2.0 cm(3) at 12 months after PLI (χ(2)=203.122, P<0.001) with a therapeutic success rate of 93.4%(57/61). Pressure symptom score and cosmetic grade were significantly improved at 12 months after PLI in patients with cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Pressure symptom score and cosmetic grade in patients with cystic thyroid nodules were Z=-6.126 and Z=-13.735, respectively; pressure symptom score and cosmetic grade in patients with predominantly cystic thyroid nodules were Z=-3.126 and Z=-7.212, respectively (all P<0.001) . There no significant difference in the thyroid functions before and after PLI in two groups of patients (all P>0.05) . The side effects of PLI were mild. Conclusion: PLI is a safe and effective alternative to treat benign cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.