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Ethanol ablation for the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts: follow-up results for longer than 2 years

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ethanol ablation (EA) for the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs).

Methods

This retrospective study included 81 consecutive patients diagnosed with and treated for symptomatic TGDCs at two institutions between Jan 2008 and Oct 2018. Preprocedural evaluation included US assessment with calculation of the TGDC volume. EA was performed under US guidance using 99% ethanol. Post-treatment follow-up was scheduled within 3 months, 6 months, and then annually. Immediate success was defined as a volume reduction ratio (VRR; ratio of the volume difference after EA to the initial TGDC volume) > 50% within 3 months. Long-term success was defined as VRR > 50% or resolution or improvement of cosmetic problems and symptoms without recurrence at last follow-up.

Results

Seventy-seven patients underwent EA, and outcomes were assessed in 68 patients with available follow-up data. The immediate success rate of the first EA was 81% (55/68), with a mean VRR within 3 months of 73% ± 31%. One patient (1.5%, 1/68) developed wound inflammation after the first EA. Forty-two patients were followed up for longer than 2 years. For the median follow-up of 69 months (range, 24–131 months), the long-term success rate was 83% (35/42), with a mean VRR at last follow-up of 81% ± 35%. No patients developed malignancy from the ablated TGDCs.

Conclusions

EA for treatment of TGDCs achieved acceptable rates of immediate and long-term efficacy with a low complication rate, and can be considered as a first-line treatment for the management of TGDCs.

Key Points

• The immediate success rate of EA for the treatment of TGDCs was 81% (55/68), with a mean VRR within 3 months of 73% ± 31%.

• For the median follow-up of 69 months (range, 24–131 months), the long-term success rate was 83% (35/42), with a mean VRR at last follow-up of 81% ± 35%.

• No patients developed malignancy from the ablated TGDCs but one patient (1.5%, 1/68) developed wound inflammation after the first EA.

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Abbreviations

CT:

Computed tomography

EA:

Ethanol ablation

TGDC:

Thyroglossal duct cyst

US:

Ultrasonography

VRR:

Volume reduction ratio

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-735, Korea

    Sang Ik Park, Jung Hwan Baek, Sae Rom Chung, Young Jun Choi & Jeong Hyun Lee

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-735, Korea

    Tae Yong Kim

  3. Division of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 138-735, Korea

    Yu-Mi Lee

  4. Department of Radiology, Haeundae Sharing and Happiness Hospital, Busan, Korea

    Seon Mi Baek

Authors
  1. Sang Ik Park
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  2. Jung Hwan Baek
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  3. Sae Rom Chung
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  4. Young Jun Choi
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  5. Jeong Hyun Lee
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  6. Tae Yong Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jung Hwan Baek.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Jung Hwan Baek.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was waived by the institutional review board.

Ethical approval

Institutional review board approval was obtained.

Study subjects or cohorts overlap

Some study subjects or cohorts have been previously reported in European Radiology (Eur Radiol (2017) 27:2708–2716).

Methodology

• retrospective

• observational

• multicenter study

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Park, S.I., Baek, J.H., Chung, S.R. et al. Ethanol ablation for the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts: follow-up results for longer than 2 years. Eur Radiol 32, 3525–3531 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08402-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08402-x

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