[Ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of ethanol in Plummer's adenoma. Our experience with 8 patients]

The authors report their experience in the study of 8 patients showing symptoms of thyroid hyperfunction (Plummer's adenoma) and treated with US-guided percutaneous ethanol injection. The treatment consisted in injecting sterile ethanol in varying amounts (2 to 5 ml) according to nodule size, using a fine needle under US guidance. The patients underwent 3 to 6 injections, according to biochemical (T3-T4-TSH) and scintigraphic findings. Follow-up at 12 months showed regression of clinical symptoms, a trend of hormone levels toward normalization and recovery of previously suppressed parenchymal function. No significant complications were observed, except for a transient thyrotoxic crisis in the patient bearing the largest nodule. The treatment of Plummer's adenoma by means of percutaneous ethanol injection under US guidance appears to provide specific clinical and technical advantages over other conventional treatments.