Graves disease/Thyromegaly
Graves' Disease Treatment Options
Graves’ disease results from the production of autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland, leading to excess production of thyroid hormone. This results in symptoms such as palpitations, weight loss, heat intolerance, and anxiety. Traditional treatments include antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroidectomy surgery. However, these options may not be suitable for all patients, prompting the search for alternative interventions.
Graves’ - Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) Treatment
Non-Surgical TAE Procedure OverviewThyroid artery embolization involves the selective blockage of blood flow to some of the hyperactive thyroid gland. This inactivates some of the tissue so that there is less glandular tissue that can be stimulated by the antibodies. Unlike surgery and radiation, you still have residual thyroid tissue and function.
The patient is given a local and topical anesthetic to numb the skin and a mild sedative, so that the procedure is not painful. During the procedure, our board-certified doctor places a tiny IV like catheter into an artery in the wrist. The catheter is then guided under x-rays into the thyroid artery.
During TAE, the doctor first identifies the thyroid arteries (blood vessels) that bring blood to the thyroid gland. The doctor then embolizes (or closes off) one to two of the thyroid arteries by delivering tiny particles through the catheter. The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour. There is no downtime, major incision, scar or hospital stay. Patients go home in less than an hour with just a Band-Aid.
Thyroid Artery Embolization Success Rate for Graves’
Several studies have investigated the efficacy of TAE in the treatment of Graves’ disease. Research suggests that TAE can achieve significant reductions in thyroid hormone levels and symptom improvement in a substantial proportion of patients. A meta-analysis by Wang et al. reported a success rate of approximately 70-80% in achieving normal thyroid levels following TAE.
Graves’ - TAE Recovery
One of the advantages of TAE is its minimally invasive nature, which typically allows for a relatively rapid recovery compared to surgical interventions. Patients undergoing TAE may experience mild discomfort or bruising at the catheter insertion site, but this usually resolves within a few days. The downtime of the procedure is one day. Most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure.
Graves’ TAE - Long-Term Success
Long-term outcomes following TAE for Graves’ disease are generally favorable, with sustained reductions in thyroid hormone levels and improvement in symptoms observed in many patients. While some individuals may require additional treatments or adjustments to medication following TAE, studies have shown that a significant proportion of patients achieve long-term remission or stabilization of their condition.
Advantages of Thyroid Artery Embolization for Thyroid disease
Our interventionist, Dr Rao not only offers TAE, but also routinely treats patients with I-131 radioablative therapies. He will tailor your treatment based on your thyroid disease presentation.
Thyroid sparing :
While TAE has demonstrated success rates comparable to other treatment modalities for Graves’ disease, such as I-131 radioactive iodine therapy, its minimally invasive nature and potential for rapid symptom relief make it an attractive option for certain patients who want to keep functioning thyroid tissue
Minimally invasive:
TAE is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require surgery or general anesthesia, reducing the risk of complications and allowing for a quicker recovery.
Targeted Treatment:
TAE selectively targets the thyroid arteries, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and organs. This targeted approach may reduce the risk of complications such as hypothyroidism or damage to the parathyroid glands as with surgical interventions.
Our Simple Process
Our Simple Process
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