Thyroid Ethanol Ablation

A new approach…

Thyroid ethanol ablation, sometimes called alcohol ablation, is a minimally invasive treatment used mainly for benign thyroid cysts and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. The procedure involves carefully injecting a small amount of sterile alcohol into the cyst to help shrink it and reduce the likelihood of fluid returning.

Ethanol ablation is thyroid-sparing and does not require surgery. A fine needle is inserted through the skin using ultrasound guidance, without the need for a surgical incision or scar. The treatment aims to reduce the size of the cyst while preserving normal thyroid tissue and function. The risk of causing thyroid underactivity, or hypothyroidism, is very low.

The procedure is performed as a day-case treatment under local anaesthetic and is generally very well tolerated. Ethanol ablation has been used internationally for many years and is considered an effective treatment option for appropriately selected benign thyroid cysts causing symptoms or cosmetic concerns.