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Radioiodine therapy for multinodular toxic goiter
B Nygaard1, L Hegedüs, P Ulriksen
1Department of Endocrinology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. birte.nygaard@dadlnet.dk
Archives of Internal Medicine
|July 1, 1999
Summary
Radioactive iodine 131 therapy effectively treats multinodular toxic goiter, with 92% of patients cured after one or two treatments. This therapy also significantly reduces thyroid volume by 43% with minimal side effects.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Thyroidology
Background:
- Long-term follow-up data for radioactive iodine 131 (I-131) therapy in multinodular toxic goiter is limited.
- Multinodular toxic goiter requires effective and well-documented treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of I-131 therapy for multinodular toxic goiter.
- To assess changes in thyroid volume and function following I-131 treatment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 130 patients with multinodular toxic goiter treated with I-131.
- Thyroid volume was monitored using ultrasound, and thyroid function variables were assessed.
- Patients were followed for a median of 72 months.
Main Results:
- Ninety-two percent of patients achieved cure with one or two I-131 treatments.
- Median thyroid volume decreased by 43% (from 44 mL to 25 mL) 24 months after the last dose.
- Hypothyroidism developed in 14% of patients within 5 years, with a lower incidence in those not pretreated with antithyroid drugs.
Conclusions:
- Radioactive iodine 131 is a highly effective treatment for multinodular toxic goiter, achieving high cure rates.
- I-131 therapy leads to significant thyroid volume reduction and has a favorable side effect profile.
- Iodine 131 therapy is recommended as a primary treatment choice for multinodular toxic goiter.