Ultrasound Beams Remove Nodules

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Registered: 03-20-2003
Ultrasound Beams Remove Nodules
1
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 8:47pm

THURSDAY, Oct. 12 (HealthDay News) -- A new technology designed to remove growths from the thyroid gland with high-intensity focused ultrasound beams has passed its first test in humans, French researchers report.


The hope is that the treatment will eliminate the need for surgery that often is performed to remove the growths, formally called nodules, said Dr. Oliver Esnault, an endocrine surgeon at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris and a leader of the trial.


But the technology is in its early stages, Esnault said. "We just treated 25 patients with this technology," he said. "It may take three or four years to be sure the technology is convenient to patients, and we are not certain yet that we will be able to use it routinely."


Thyroid nodules are fairly common. Many go unnoticed, and only 5 percent are cancerous. But since the thyroid sits at the base of the neck, some nodules can grow large enough to interfere with breathing. And overproduction of thyroid hormones by some nodules can cause symptoms such as unexpected weight loss and abnormal heartbeats.


Read more at:


http://health.ivillage.com/thyroid/thyroidnews/0,,wbnews_9rj6ncs1,00.html

Calley7




 




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Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 4:44am

Hi! I read this article, not sure how much I understud :-()
Usualy the incision is so small, as they said, or it is around the neck? And, one can go home same day?
anci dan

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=52320&nfid=al