[Radioiondine therapy for Graves hyperthyroidism with large goiter: feasibility, efficacy and safety]

To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of radioiondine therapy in the treatment of Graves hyperthyroidism with large goiter.

A total of 128 patients with Graves; hyperthyroidism with large goiter (thyroid weight>70 g) as the study group were treated with radioiondine, using 318 concurrent patients with Graves disease with a smaller goiter (thyroid weight<70 g) as the control group. The cure rate following a single-session treatment, the total cure rate and the incidence of hypothyroidism were compared between the two groups.

In the large goiter group, the total cure rate was 95.3%, and the cure rate following a single-session treatment was 46.9%, with the incidence of hypothyroidism of 4.7%, as compared with 90.9%, 65.7%, and 9.1% in the control group, respectively. A significant difference was noted in the cure rate following a single-session treatment (P=0.000), but not in the total cure rate or the incidence of early-onset hypothyroidism (P=0.115) between the two groups. No tracheal compression, laryngeal edema, or hyperthyroidism crisis occurred in the large goiter group after the treatment.

Radioiondine is safe and effective for treatment of Graves hyperthyroidism with large goiter, and results in a total cure rate and incidence of early-onset hypothyroidism similar to those in patients with goiters of a smaller size.