Long-Term Effects of 0.1 mg Recombinant-Human-Thyrotropin-Stimulated Fixed-Dose Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Recurrent Multinodular Goiter after Surgery

Abstract

(1) Background: After thyroid malignancy is ruled out, treatment options for multinodular goiter patients include surgery, levothyroxine suppressive therapy, and 131-I therapy. Surgery effectively reduces goiter size but carries risks of surgical and anesthetic complications. 131-I therapy is the only nonsurgical alternative, but its effectiveness diminishes with goiter size and depends on iodine sufficiency. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 0.1 mg rhTSH as an adjuvant to a fixed dose of 131-I therapy in patients with a recurrence of large multinodular goiter, several years after the initial thyroidectomy. (2) Methods: 14 patients (13 females and 1 male), aged 59.14 ± 15.44 (range, 35–78 years) received 11mciu of 131-I, 24 h after the administration of 0.1 mg rhTSH. The primary endpoint was the change in thyroid volume (by ultrasound measurements) as well as in the diameter of the predominant nodule during a follow-up period of 10 years. Secondary endpoints were the alterations in thyroid function and potential adverse effects. (3) Results: A significant decrease in the volume of initial thyroid remnants (32.16 ± 16.66 mL) was observed from the first reevaluation (at 4 months, 23.12 ± 11.59 mL) as well as at the end of the follow-up period (10 years, 12.62 ± 8.76 mL), p < 0.01. A significant reduction in the dominant nodule was also observed (from 31.71 ± 10.46 mm in the beginning to 26.67 ± 11.05 mm). (4) Conclusions: Further investigation is needed since this approach could be attractive in terms of minimizing the potential risks of reoperation in these patients.

Keywords

• thyroid nodules
• recombinant TSH
• multinodular goiter
• thyroidectomy