Percutaneous ethanol injection of thyroglossal duct cysts.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report the results of treating 3 patients with a thyroglossal duct cyst by percutaneous ethanol injection and compare the outcome with the results of treatment in 17 patients with thyroid cysts.

METHODS:

The details of the ultrasound-guided injection procedure and the clinical course of the patients are presented, along with review of the literature pertaining to alcohol ablation for thyroglossal duct cysts.

RESULTS:

Percutaneous ethanol injection was successful in only 1 of 3 patients with thyroglossal duct cysts, in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography, during a 2-year period. During the same 2-year interval, 17 patients with a thyroid cyst received similar treatment. Ablation of the thyroid cyst was successful in all 17 patients, only 1 of whom required a second ethanol injection procedure.

CONCLUSION:

Percutaneous ethanol injection does not seem to be as effective in treating thyroglossal duct cysts as in treating thyroid cysts. If the presence of a malignant lesion can be excluded, percutaneous ethanol injection may be considered a secondary treatment in patients with thyroglossal duct cysts who cannot undergo a surgical procedure.

• Authors: H Jack Baskin
• Journal: Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (Endocr Pract) 2006 Jul-Aug Vol. 12 Issue 4 Pg. 355-7 ISSN: 1530-891X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16939947 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ethanol

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biopsy, Fine-Needle (methods)
• Ethanol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Thyroglossal Cyst (drug therapy, pathology, therapy)