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Title: Follow-up of solitary autonomous thyroid nodules treated with /sup 131/I

Journal Article · · N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

A study was made of the long-term effects of /sup 131/I therapy for solitary autonomous thyroid nodules on the size of the nodule and on thyroid function. Twenty-three patients with autonomous thyroid adenomas that had been treated with /sup 131/I from 4 to 16.5 years earlier (mean, 8.5) were examined, and their thyroid function was tested. In 12 patients (54 per cent), the nodules were still palpable, and in 2 they had increased in size. Eight patients (36 per cent) had become hypothyroid. The incidence of hypothyroidism was not related to nodule size or the level of thyroid function before therapy with /sup 131/I or to the total dose of /sup 131/I that had been given. We conclude that /sup 131/I therapy for autonomous thyroid adenoma often causes hypothyroidism and in many cases does not eradicate the offending nodule.

Research Organization:
Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ontario, Canada
OSTI ID:
7013000
Journal Information:
N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Vol. 309:24
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English