| Bennedbaek et al., Odense, Denmark, report the results of 131 treatment for non-toxic diffuse goiter in 11 patients (10 women) with a median age of 41 years who were followed for minimally 12 years. In the past 6/11 had tried T4 suppressive therapy without result. 131 was administered at a dose of 3.7 Mbq/g corrected for uptake after 24 hours. Mean thyroid volume decreased from 72.9 to 27.8 ml at 12 months. Two patients developed permanent hypothyroidism 6 months after treatment and 1 patient developed a 3 months lasting 131 induced hyperthyroidism 3 months after treatment. It is concluded that a 62% reduction in thyroid volume is achieved within 12 months after treatment. No radiation thyroiditis was seen. The authors conclude that this type of treatment can be used in those patients that do not react favourably to T4 suppressive therapy and/or with contraindications to surgery or who refuse surgery. (Comment: My personal opinion is that certainly in adults 131 treatment should have in general priority over surgery.) |
