Ethanol/Alcohol Ablation

[SandyB114]

I found an original post dated 11/24/08 about Ethanol/Alcohol Ablation but at that time according to the reply it still wasn't available in the US.  I've been told by my doctor that I'm hyperthyroid and have mild T3 toxicosis likely from a toxic MNG or Hot nodule.  Anyway I would like to find a doctor today that is doing Ethanol/Alcohol Ablation.  It's been a few years since the original post and I'm hoping that it's now being done in the US.  (I've found it listed as a treatment option at the Cleveland Clinic so I am assuming that it is being done in the US.)  How would I find a doctor that does this?  Thank you.


This discussion is related to Ethanol/Alcohol Ablation.

[desperatelyseekingtreatment]

Hi! I just had the Percutaneous Ethanol Injection 3 days ago. Everything went very well during the procedure. Pain was very mild. Right now, my neck feels stiff and when I laugh, sneeze or cough, I feel pain but tolerable. I didn't realize, that it will take some time before the nodule will get smaller. After reading your Nov. 29  posting I felt better because I got so alarmed when the next day I checked on my neck and it still looked big and I don't feel comfortable. My expectation was that, after the procedure my neck will right away look smaller. Please, do keep me posted on your progress after the second injection. Good luck.

[SandyB114]

I just had my second alcohol ablation procedure at the Cleveland Clinic.  The Cleveland Clinic has a book called 'The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Thyroid Disorders '  that I found very helpful and it listed alcohol ablation as an option for treatment for hot nodules.  Like I said above I had my first injection in August and about six weeks after the nodule was smaller by 0.5cm.  I just had my second injection and in about 6 weeks I'll find out the size.  I believe I'll need about two more treatements.  For me it was pretty painful primarly during the injection.  After the injection and for about 4 days after my neck felt stiff and it was a little painful swallowing.  There is some brusing but it should go away in about 10 days.  

[desperatelyseekingtreatment]

I'm scheduled to have the alcohol ablation injection done here by my local doctor. When I told my boss about it, she objected and strongly recommend that I should go to the Mayo Clinic in MN. I'm just wondering, if your doctor who performed the ablation had already the certification. How was it after the injection? Was the pain really that bad?

[Jess10476]

Oh wow, glad to hear you got it done at cleavland clinic, did it have a positive result? What doctor performed it?

[SandyB114]

I had my first alcohol ablation injection done at the Cleveland Clinc.  It was done in August about six weeks ago.  I did not find anyone in the Chicago area who offereded that treatement.

[Jess10476]

Hi i was wondering in the last few months if you found any information on someone who performs ethanol ablation. Any help would be wonderful

[EMCW]

I have considered traveling to Florida to see Dr. Lupo for ethanol ablation.  The Cleveland Clinic is much closer to my home (Chicago), but I can't find any information on the procedure on the website.  It would be great if you could share the Cleveland Clinic information you found.  Thanks.  

[laura1967]

I would call the Cleveland Clinic and ask for a referral....that may be a good place to start.  :)