Actively Recruiting
Thyroid Artery Goitre Embolization Trial A Pilot Study Investigating Thyroid Artery Embolisation as a Treatment for Large Thyroid Nodules
Led by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust · Updated on 2025-12-24
10
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
82 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
R
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Reading
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Large non-cancerous thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland) can cause pressure or discomfort in the neck or cosmetic issues. The standard treatment options include radiofrequency ablation, radioactive iodine, and surgery. Not all patients are suitable however for these treatments, some lumps are too large, or the patients are not fit enough for surgery. Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) is a new minimally invasive technique (smaller incisions / cuts and shorter recovery time) performed under light sedation. It is used by other European Thyroid Centres, but it hasn't been used in the UK. Embolization means arteries supplying the thyroid gland are blocked by injecting small occlusive particles, like very fine grains of sand that can get stuck in small spaces, preventing blood from passing through. Blocking the thyroid arteries causes the gland to shrink. This provides symptom relief or controls an overactive gland. We aim to undertake a TAE pilot study to explore the safety of TAE in a UK patient population. We are planning to recruit 10 eligible patients. We will also collect additional data (for example on pain, effectiveness, cost and health related quality of life) to inform a future larger trial comparing TAE to other treatment options.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Thyroid Artery Goitre Embolization Trial A Pilot Study Investigating Thyroid Artery Embolisation as a Treatment for Large Thyroid Nodules
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 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 or hyperthyroidism, or autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
- Single nodular goitre causing local mass effect warranting treatment or multi-nodular goitre.
- Thyroid nodules assessed by ultrasound with TIRADS score 1, 2, or 3 (benign or mildly suspicious).
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) confirmed benign disease (2x FNA Thy2 results for TR3 nodules, 1x FNA for TR2 or less), performed on the highest grade or largest nodule.
- No enlarged or suspicious neck lymph nodes on ultrasound.
- Willing to undergo thyroid nodule embolization after discussion with ENT surgeon and/or interventional radiologist.
- Able to lie flat on an angiography table with one or two pillows and keep head elevation at 30 degrees or less for at least two hours.
You will not qualify if you...
- 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 or hyperthyroidism, or autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
- Single nodular goitre causing local mass effect warranting treatment or multi-nodular goitre.
- Thyroid nodules assessed by ultrasound with TIRADS score 1, 2, or 3 (benign or mildly suspicious).
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) confirmed benign disease (2x FNA Thy2 results for TR3 nodules, 1x FNA for TR2 or less), performed on the highest grade or largest nodule.
- No enlarged or suspicious neck lymph nodes on ultrasound.
- Willing to undergo thyroid nodule embolization after discussion with ENT surgeon and/or interventional radiologist.
- Able to lie flat on an angiography table with one or two pillows and keep head elevation at 30 degrees or less for at least two hours.
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading, United Kingdom
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
F
Farhan Ahmad
CONTACT
A
Angelika Kristek
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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