Thyroid Artery Goitre Embolization Trial A Pilot Study Investigating Thyroid Artery Embolisation as a Treatment for Large Thyroid Nodules

Launched by ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new, less invasive treatment called thyroid artery embolization (TAE) for people with large, non-cancerous lumps (nodules) or an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) that cause discomfort, pressure in the neck, or cosmetic concerns. TAE works by blocking the small arteries that supply blood to the thyroid, which helps the gland shrink and reduces symptoms. This treatment is already used in some European countries but hasn’t been tried much in the UK yet. The study aims to see if TAE is safe and to gather information on how well it works, any pain involved, and its impact on quality of life.

The trial plans to include about 10 adults who have benign (non-cancerous) thyroid nodules or goitre causing symptoms or cosmetic issues, with or without an overactive thyroid (including Graves’ disease). Participants must have nodules confirmed as non-cancerous by ultrasound and biopsy tests, and they should be considering TAE either because other treatments aren’t suitable or as a step before other treatments like surgery or radioactive iodine. During the procedure, patients will be lightly sedated and lie comfortably on a special table while the arteries to the thyroid are blocked using tiny particles. The study will track their recovery and symptoms to help decide if this treatment should be offered more widely in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * The participant may enter the study if ALL of the following apply:
• • Adults over 18 years of age willing and able to give informed consent.
• • Symptomatic or cosmetically distressing benign nodular thyroid disease with or without intrathoracic extension and with or without hyperthyroidism. Or auto-immune hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
• • Single nodular goitre causing local mass effect warranting treatment or multi-nodular goitre
• • TIRADS score 1, 2 and 3 nodules (benign or mildly suspicious) as assessed by ultrasound.
• • FNA confirmed benign disease (x2 FNA Thy2 (benign) result required for TR3 nodules, 1x FNA if nodule classified TR2 or less). FNA performed on most high grade nodule or if equal grade then largest nodule.
• • No enlarged / suspicious neck lymphadenopathy on ultrasound.
• • Patient willing to undergo thyroid nodule embolization in preference to other viable treatment options after discussion with Consultant ENT surgeon and / or Consultant Interventional Radiologist. TAE can also be performed as a bridge to surgery, Radiofrequency ablation or Radioactive iodine. Patients may also be unsuitable or unfit for other treatment options.
• • Patient able to lay on the angiography table flat with one or two pillows, and can lay comfortably with 30 degrees or less of head elevation for a minimum of two hours.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• * The participant may enter the study if ALL of the following apply:
• • Adults over 18 years of age willing and able to give informed consent.
• • Symptomatic or cosmetically distressing benign nodular thyroid disease with or without intrathoracic extension and with or without hyperthyroidism. Or auto-immune hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
• • Single nodular goitre causing local mass effect warranting treatment or multi-nodular goitre
• • TIRADS score 1, 2 and 3 nodules (benign or mildly suspicious) as assessed by ultrasound.
• • FNA confirmed benign disease (x2 FNA Thy2 (benign) result required for TR3 nodules, 1x FNA if nodule classified TR2 or less). FNA performed on most high grade nodule or if equal grade then largest nodule.
• • No enlarged / suspicious neck lymphadenopathy on ultrasound.
• • Patient willing to undergo thyroid nodule embolization in preference to other viable treatment options after discussion with Consultant ENT surgeon and / or Consultant Interventional Radiologist. TAE can also be performed as a bridge to surgery, Radiofrequency ablation or Radioactive iodine. Patients may also be unsuitable or unfit for other treatment options.
• • Patient able to lay on the angiography table flat with one or two pillows, and can lay comfortably with 30 degrees or less of head elevation for a minimum of two hours.