715 - Thyroid Artery Embolization: Indications, Technical Pearls, and Patient Safety

Learning Objectives:

1. Review indications for thyroid artery embolization is performed.


2. Describe technical and clinical pearls for safe and effective embolization.


3. Recognize patient safety concerns, potential complications, and strategies to prevent adverse risk.

Background: The current treatment paradigm for thyroid pathologies involves thyroid hormone supplementation, antithyroid medication, surgery, and radioiodine. Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive therapy that has demonstrated effectiveness in cases of benign conditions (such as goiter and Graves' disease) as well as for preoperative or palliative management of thyroid malignancies {1}. Due to the complex vascular supply of the thyroid, embolization requires detailed anatomical understanding and careful patient selection to maximize efficacy.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: Pre-procedural evaluation includes thyroid imaging and Doppler ultrasound. Embolization is typically performed via transfemoral or transradial arterial access, with catheterization of superior and inferior thyroid arteries. In literature, the most common embolic materials include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), microspheres, or lipiodol. Additional technical pearls include the use of roadmap angiography to identify non-target branches and slow, controlled embolic delivery to avoid reflux.

Complications from TAE are quite uncommon but include neck pain, fever, transient tooth ache / arm pain and transient hypocalemia with non-target embolization such as stroke being the most catastrophic {2}.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Thyroid artery embolization is an innovative treatment option for the management of select benign and malignant thyroid pathologies. Understanding technical pearls and potential complications enables interventional radiologists to use this therapy effectively while minimizing risks and adverse events.