The Effects of Cystic Tyroid Lesions by Ethanol-Instillation

갑상선 낭종 환자에서 Ethanol 경화술의 효과

We analyzed the results of ethanol sclerotherapy in 47 patients with cystic thyroid lesion. Cytologic study showed all of the lesions to be benign. The patients were followed clinically and ultrasonically I month and 3 or more months after ethanol sclerotherapy. If the cystic lesions recurred, repeated treatment was offered. In 4 patients with pure cystic lesion, all of the patents had almost total resolution of the cystic lesions. In 43 patients with mixed cystic lesion, 16(37.2%) patients had almost total resolution of the cystic lesions, 10(23.3%) patients showed a decrease' in the cystic lesion of <50%, but 11(25.6%) patients it did not change in size. Overall, in 30(63.8%) patients the cystic lesion decreased in size. Eleven patients who were not effective by sclerotherapy or follicular proliferation by cytology were converted to surgery. Although no severe complication were observed, there were complication of severe pain in I patient and a drunken feeling in I patient. If the malignancy must be excluded by repeated cytologic examination of aspirated fluid, we consider instillation of ethanol into the cystic lesions of the thyroid to be a simple, safe, economical and effective treatment.