Ethanol Ablation Treatment of Thyroid Cysts

Ethanol ablation is suitable for many thyroid cysts. It is best for nodules that are entirely cystic or predominantly cystic.  

Ethanol ablation is a non-surgical, scarless procedure to treat thyroid cysts. It is a quick procedure done under local anaesthesia in the clinic. You will be awake during the procedure but the area where the procedure is done is numb. Thyroid cysts may give rise to pressure symptoms in the neck e.g. feeling of a lump in the throat, discomfort or pressure in the lower neck, a tightness in the lower neck. Some people do not like the look of a lump in the lower neck.

Ultrasound guided drainage of a thyroid cyst results in an 80% recurrence rate whereas ultrasound guided ethanol ablation of a thyroid cyst results in a 10% recurrence rate. Using ultrasound, Dr Francis Hall guides a needle into the cyst. The fluid inside the cyst is drained and sterile medical grade ethanol is injected into the cyst. After a few minutes the ethanol is removed through the same needle.  

Ethanol ablation of a thyroid cyst is the best treatment for most patients. The procedure is highly effective and is successful 90% of the time. The thyroid cyst, and only the thyroid cyst, is treated. There is no damage to adjacent thyroid tissue, and thyroid tissue is not removed. The entire appointment for the procedure takes less than thirty minutes. As there is no incision of the skin, there is no scar. 

As the procedure is done under local anaesthesia you can drive to and from the appointment.  Patients can return to a desk job the same day and to manual work the day after the procedure. Over the subsequent few months, the cyst shrinks dramatically in size. There may be some discomfort after the procedure which is easily managed with paracetamol (Panadol) and / or ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory).  

Prior to the procedure you will need an ultrasound. Some people also need an ultrasound guided FNA (see section on ultrasound guided FNA) depending on the features noted on the ultrasound.

If you are interested in ethanol ablation treatment for your thyroid cyst, call our office on 09 281 2963 or email admin@drfrancishall.co.nz