A prospective pilot study of the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolisation (TAE) for the treatment of symptomatic thyroid nodular goitre

The intervention is thyroid artery embolisation (TAE), a minimally invasive endovascular procedure used to treat symptomatic thyroid nodular goitre. The procedure is performed by a specialist interventional radiologist with expertise in embolisation techniques. TAE is performed in an interventional radiology suite at The Alfred Hospital and typically takes approximately 60 minutes. Under local anaesthesia, a small catheter is inserted into an artery (typically via the wrist, arm, or groin) and guided to the thyroid arteries under X-ray guidance. Embolic agents, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and emolisation coils, are then used to reduce blood flow to the thyroid nodule(s), The procedure is usually performed as a day procedure, with patients observed for a minimum of 4 hours following treatment before discharge, provided they are clinically stable. Follow-up assessments will be conducted by the study investigators at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months following the procedure. Assessments include clinical review, thyroid function tests, imaging (ultrasound and CT), and completion of the ThyPRO-39 questionnaire. Attendance at follow-up visits will be supported through study team coordination and appointment reminders. Fidelity to the intervention will be assessed through adherence to the study protocol, including use of approved embolic materials, documentation of the target vessels treated, embolisation endpoint achieved, procedural details, and completion of scheduled follow-up assessments.