Thyroid Artery Goitre Embolization Trial A Pilot Study Investigating Thyroid Artery Embolisation as a Treatment for Large Thyroid Nodules

Large non-cancerous thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland) can cause pressure or discomfort in the neck or cosmetic issues. The standard treatment options include radiofrequency ablation, radioactive iodine, and surgery. Not all patients are suitable however for these treatments, some lumps are too large, or the patients are not fit enough for surgery. Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) is a new minimally invasive technique (smaller incisions / cuts and shorter recovery time) performed under light sedation. It is used by other European Thyroid Centres, but it hasn't been used in the UK. Embolization means arteries supplying the thyroid gland are blocked by injecting small occlusive particles, like very fine grains of sand that can get stuck in small spaces, preventing blood from passing through. Blocking the thyroid arteries causes the gland to shrink. This provides symptom relief or controls an overactive gland. We aim to undertake a TAE pilot study to explore the safety of TAE in a UK patient population. We are planning to recruit 10 eligible patients. We will also collect additional data (for example on pain, effectiveness, cost and health related quality of life) to inform a future larger trial comparing TAE to other treatment options.