US-guided percutaneous ablation of thyroid nodules with 177LU-MAA (LUTMA) - Feasibility study

• Published in: Revista Española de medicina nuclear e imagen molecular (English ed.) 2024-07, Vol.43 (4), p.500023, Article 500023
• Main Authors: Sager, Sait, Akgun, Elife, Abuqbeitah, Mohammad, Nazari, Azizullah, Yeyin, Nami, Karayel, Emre, Pehlivanoglu, Huseyin, Aygun, Aslan, Sayman, Haluk Burcak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 177Lu; Ablación; Ablation; MAA; Nodule; Nódulo; Thyroid; Tiroides
• ISSN: 2253-8089; 2253-8089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2024.500023

The main purpose is to evaluate the safety, and efficacy of 177Lutetium labeled macroaggregated albumin (LUTMA) ablation of thyroid nodules. Patients with confirmed benign nodules who were not candidate or did not accept surgery were enrolled. Under ultrasonography (USG) guidance, LUTMA which was produced in our department, was administered into the nodules. Nodule volumes were assessed via USG before the injection and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-months post-treatment. We calculated the volume reduction rates (VRRs) for these intervals. To detect extranodular activity leakage, patients underwent SPECT/CT imaging at one hour, 24 h, and one week post-injection. Fifteen patients (male: 12, female: 3) with benign thyroid nodules were eligible to join this study. These nodules were categorized as cystic (n = 9), solid (n = 3), or mixed (n = 3). Median nodules volume was 6.59 ml (range: 0.56–55 ml). Predicted absorbed dosee to the nodules varied between 10–1036 Gy. The VRRs at 3 months was 85% for all nodule types with gradual increases over time: 0%–92%, 20%–97%, and 28%–98% at 1 week, 1 month, and 3-months, respectively. The median VRR of cystic nodules was 89% (range: 81%–98%) at 3-months. It is significantly higher than solid ones (P = .009). None of the patients experienced adverse reactions or discomfort during the injection or follow-up. LUTMA treatment significantly reduces the volume of benign thyroid nodules, offering relief from disease-associated symptoms and cosmetic concerns. It emerges as a promising alternative to surgical and other local treatments for benign thyroid nodule ablation. LUTMA is a novel theranostic radiopharmaceutical which is promising in local ablative treatment of benign thyroid nodules. El objetivo principal es evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la ablación de los nódulos tiroideos con albúmina macroagregada marcada con lutecio (LUTMA). Se inscribieron pacientes con nódulos benignos confirmados que no eran candidatos o no aceptaron la cirugía. Bajo guía de ecografía (USG), se administró en los nódulos LUTMA, que se produjo en nuestro departamento. Los volúmenes de los nódulos se evaluaron mediante ecografía antes de la inyección y 1 semana, 1 mes y 3 meses después del tratamiento. Calculamos las tasas de reducción de volumen (VRR) para estos intervalos. Para detectar fugas de actividad extranodular, los pacientes se sometieron a imágenes SPECT/CT una hora, 24 horas y una semana después de la inyección. Quince pacientes (hombres: