Embolization Of Thyroid Arteries Research Articles

Rapidly enlarging thyroid neoplasm treated with embolization of thyroid arteries

Rapidly enlarging thyroid neoplasm treated with embolization of thyroid arteries

Thyroid arterial embolization to treat graves' disease

To prospectively investigate the effect of thyroid arterial embolization on hyperthyroid Graves' disease in selected patients. Twenty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease were enrolled to undergo thyroid arterial embolization and followed up for 12-22 months. Twenty-two patients had three thyroid arteries embolized and six patients two arteries. Serum thyroid hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and autoimmune function were tested before and after embolization in all patients. Of 28 patients, 22 (78.6%) became euthyroid, five improved (17.8%), and one had temporary improvement followed by recurrence (3.6%). No serious complications occurred. Compared with the pre-embolization values, serum concentrations of thyroid hormone increased temporarily on day 3 post-embolization, dropped substantially after 1 and 2 months, and returned to nearly normal at 6 and 12 months post-embolization. TSH dropped on day 3, increased after 1 and 2 months, and returned to normal after 6 and 12 months. Thyroid antibodies TGAb and TMAb declined on day 3 to normal range, rose after 1 month, dropped to normal again after 2 months, and were slightly increased at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Thyroid arterial embolization may be an effective approach for patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease.

Preoperative Embolization of Thyroid Arteries in a Patient with Large Multinodular Goiter and Papillary Carcinoma

We herein report the case of a 51-year-old woman, who presented with a large goiter (250-300 g on palpation) with extension to the mediastinum and compression of the trachea causing dyspnea and with associated lumbar pain. Although two fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the gland were negative, a biopsy of a lesion in the spine shown on computed tomography (CT) scan was positive for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Because of the extent of the goiter and the potential of significant blood loss, total thyroidectomy was considered to be high risk. In an attempt to reduce the goiter size and try to minimize surgical risks, preoperative embolization with polyvinyl alcohol in an emulsion with histoacryl particles was performed 7 days before surgery under conventional angiography. This procedure allowed a significant reduction in blood perfusion to the gland, which resulted in a decrease on the size of the goiter facilitating surgical removal of the gland.