الفهرس 
Embryology of the thyroid glandOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Ethanol ablation (EA) is the first-line of therapy for relapsing symptomatic cystic thyroid nodules in most guidelines; however there is no consensus regarding the procedure details. Two techniques have been described for EA of thyroid cystic nodules; the retention technique and the aspiration technique. There are conflicting data regarding the superiority of one technique over the other.
Aim of the Work: to compare between the retention technique and the aspiration technique in treating cystic and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.
Patients and Methods: 20 patients with mean age of 35.3±15.2 years having thyroid cysts or predominantly cystic nodules were treated using ethanol ablation. 10 patients were treated using retention technique, the other 10 patients were treated using aspiration technique.
Results: 15 patients (75%) were females, while 5 patients (25%) were males. Pure cystic nodules were 9 (45%), while 11 (55 %) patients had predominantly cystic nodules. The median nodule initial volume was 26 cc (14.23-38.45). The 6 month VRR was 81% (60-88), with overall success rate (VRR≥ 50%) of 85 %. No statistically significant difference was found between the retention and aspiration techniques as regards the 6-month VRR (P=0.62), success rate (P=0.76), symptom score (P=0.63), cosmetic score (P=0.455), or procedural pain (P= 0.43).
Conclusion: Retention and aspiration techniques show the same efficacy and safety in treating pure cystic and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules.