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Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Stimulated Radioiodine Therapy of Large Nodular Goiters Facilitates Tracheal Decompression and Improves Inspiration

Departments of Endocrinology and Metabolism (S.J.B., V.E.N., L.H.), Radiology (P.B.A.), Oncology (L.B.), and Nuclear Medicine (H.B-J., P.G.), Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Steen J. Bonnema, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. E-mail: steen.bonnema{at}dadlnet.dk.

Introduction: The impact on tracheal anatomy and respiratory function of recombinant human (rh)TSH-stimulated ¹³¹I therapy in patients with goiter is not clarified.

Methods: In a double-blinded design, patients (age 37–87 yr) with a large multinodular goiter (range, 99–440 ml) were randomized to placebo (n = 15) or 0.3 mg rhTSH (n = 14) 24 h before ¹³¹I therapy. The smallest cross-sectional area of the trachea (SCAT; assessed by magnetic resonance imaging) and the pulmonary function were determined before, 1 wk, and 12 months after therapy.

Results: Data on goiter reduction have been reported previously. In the placebo group, no significant changes in the lung function or SCAT were found throughout the study. In the rhTSH group, a slight decrease was observed in the forced vital capacity 1 wk after therapy, whereas the mean individual change in SCAT was significantly increased by 10.5% (95% confidence interval = 0.9–20.0%). A further increase in SCAT to 117 ± 36 mm² (P = 0.005 compared with 92 ± 38 mm² at baseline) was seen at 12 months, corresponding to a mean of 31.4% (95% confidence interval = 16.0–46.8%). The expiratory parameters did not change significantly, whereas forced inspiratory flow at 50% of the vital capacity (FIF50%) increased from initially 3.34 ± 1.33 liters/sec to ultimately 4.23 ± 1.88 liters/sec (P = 0.015) in the rhTSH group, corresponding to a median increase of 24.6%. By 12 months, the relative improvements in FIF50% and in SCAT were inversely correlated to the respective baseline values (FIF50%: r = –0.47, P = 0.012; SCAT: r = –0.57, P = 0.001).

Conclusion: On average, neither compression of the trachea nor deterioration of the pulmonary function was observed in the acute phase after rhTSH-augmented ¹³¹I therapy. In the long term, tracheal compression is diminished, and the inspiratory capacity improved, compared with ¹³¹I therapy alone.