One-step ethanol ablation of viscous cystic thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of one-step ethanol ablation in the management of viscous cystic thyroid nodules.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Viscous cystic thyroid nodules are defined as nodules that cannot be aspirated with an 18-gauge needle. Nine euthyroid patients underwent one-step ethanol ablation of benign single compressive viscous cystic thyroid nodules (cystic portion > 90%). The thick content of the nodules was removed with either a 16-gauge needle (n = 8) or an 8.5-French pigtail catheter (n = 1) connected to a suction pump. An injection of 99% sterile ethanol then was administered. After 10 minutes, all of the injected ethanol was withdrawn. Additional treatment was prescribed if the cystic portion of the nodule remained larger than 1 mL. Follow-up sonography was performed 1 and 6 months after treatment. At each follow-up examination, nodule volume, symptom score (centimeter visual analog scale, 0–10), cosmetic grade (grade 1–4), and complications were ...