Roberto Cesareo1, Gaia Tabacco2, Anda Mihaela Naciu2, Anna Crescenzi3, Stella Bernardi4,5, Francesco Romanelli6, Maurilio Deandrea7, Pierpaolo Trimboli8,9, Andrea Palermo2, Marco Castellana10. 1. Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti, Latina, Italy. 2. Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Pathology, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy. 4. Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy. 5. UO Medicina Clinica, Ospedale di Cattinara, ASUGI (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina), Trieste, Italy. 6. Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 7. UO Endocrinologia, Diabetologia e Malattie del metabolismo, AO Ordine Mauriziano Torino, Torino, Italy. 8. Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Lugano Regional Hospital, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland. 9. Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland. 10. National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Bari, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is used for the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to obtain strong evidence of its long-term efficacy and safety. METHODS: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched until November 2020 for studies reporting data on volume reduction rate (VRR), compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns. Associated complications were assessed. A random-effects model was designed to pool the data. RESULTS: Out of 385 papers, nine studies evaluating 1667 nodules were finally included. Overall, VRR at 6, 12, 24, 36, 60 and 120 months was 77%, 81%, 72%, 68%, 74% and 69%, respectively. Significant reductions in the compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns were observed. No permanent complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis showed that PEI could significantly reduce the volume of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This reduction was already effective at 6 months post-treatment, and the effect was stable over time.
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is used for the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to obtain strong evidence of its long-term efficacy and safety. METHODS: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched until November 2020 for studies reporting data on volume reduction rate (VRR), compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns. Associated complications were assessed. A random-effects model was designed to pool the data. RESULTS: Out of 385 papers, nine studies evaluating 1667 nodules were finally included. Overall, VRR at 6, 12, 24, 36, 60 and 120 months was 77%, 81%, 72%, 68%, 74% and 69%, respectively. Significant reductions in the compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns were observed. No permanent complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis showed that PEI could significantly reduce the volume of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This reduction was already effective at 6 months post-treatment, and the effect was stable over time.