Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) guided by ultrasound (US) has been suggested for thyroid nodules (NT) benign treatment. However, there is no consensus on the standard amount of ethanol injection, number of applications and the re-evaluation time, in order to reach the maximum volume reduction with lower potential side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an IPE protocol to treat solid and mixed NT based on a new goal. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the results of the IPE in 52 patients with solid and mixed benign NT. In each session the ethanol dose was fixed at 30% of nodular volume. The patients returned a month after each session for NT reassessment by the US. Therapeutic success was established as a reduction ≥ 30% of the volume associated with the disappearance of clinical symptoms and a complete aesthetic satisfaction reported by the subject. It performed an average of 2.8 ± 1.9 PEI sessions with a total average volume of ethanol injected by 9.1 ± 10.3 mL and follow-up of 10.0 ± 8.7 months. A reduction of at least 50% of nodular initial volume in 33 patients (63.5%). In 11 patients (21.2%) reduction did not reach 50% (mean reduction of 31 ± 11%), but these, six individuals reported satisfactory clinical and cosmetic results and treatment was stopped. So, our therapeutic success rate, whereas patients with clinical and aesthetic resolution was 75%. There were no severe complications. Our study suggests that the protocol is effective and safe for the treatment of solid and mixed benign NT based on our established outcome.
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