REDUCTION IN GOITER SIZE BY I-131 THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH NONTOXIC MULTINODULAR GOITER

A retrospective follow-up study of I-131 treatment was performed in 10 females (median age 48 years. range 40-74 years) with non-toxic multinodular goiter. The median dose of I-131 given was 20 mCi (range 14-65 mCi), Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography. The median follow-up period was 26 months (range 12-68 months). Nine patients had a reduction of goiter size: thyroid volume decreased from 88 +/- 14.9 ml (mean+/-SEM) to 49 +/- 10.9 ml 1 year after I-131 decrease of goiter size was 48% after 1 year (N = 9) and 59% after 2 years (N = 5). One patient did not respond and was referred for operation. Side effects were mild spontaneously resolving radiation thyroiditis in one patient and subclinical hypothyroidism in four patients. In conclusion, I-131 treatment of non-toxic goiter is an effective treatment at the expense of post-radiation (subclinical) hypothyroidism.