[A preliminary prospective study on the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous lauromacrogol sclerotherapy in benign cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules].

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous lauromacrogol injection (PLI) in treatment of cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 114 cystic thyroid nodules and 61 predominantly cystic thyroid nodules with pain or uncomfort or aesthetic complaints were offered PLI. Therapeutic success rates and side effects were evaluated. From October 2012 to December 2015,114 patients with cystic thyroid nodules and 61 with predominantly cystic thyroid nodules with pain or uncomfortable or aesthetic complaints at the outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were offered percutaneous lauromacrogol sclerotherapy. Cytological results were benign. This study was a prospective trial. Ultrasonography sound examination was performed in all patients before treatment. The baseline data of all the patients and the data of the patients examined at the follow-up of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were analyzed. Therapeutic success rate (nodule volume reduction >50%) and safety were observed. The data of nodule volume reduction ratio and the function of thyroid were normal distribution and analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and t test. The data of nodule volume, symptoms score and cosmetic score were skewed distribution, which were indicated with median and analyzed by nonparamentic test. Results The mean volume of the cystic thyroid nodules was reduced from 12.5 cm3 before PLI to 0.2 cm3 at 12 months after PLI (χ2=266.175, P 0.05) . The side effects of PLI were mild. Conclusion PLI is a safe and effective alternative to treat benign cystic or predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Key words: Lauromacrogol; Ultrasonography; Sclerotherapy; Cystic thyroid nodules; Predominantly cystic nodules