Goitre · Thyroid artery embolization · HyderabadNo neck cut.
The goitre shrinks.

A tiny tube from the wrist blocks the arteries feeding a large goitre with multiple nodules. No scar on the neck. Home the next day.

1GoitreAn enlarged thyroid full of nodules, fed by four small arteries.
2Tube from the wristA thin tube travels up the arteries to the thyroid. No cut on the neck.
3BlockTiny particles block the arteries feeding the goitre.
4ShrinkWith less blood supply, the goitre shrinks over the months.

At a glance

Entry: Wristone tiny puncture
Anaesthesia: Localwith mild sedation
Procedure: 1–2 hourswatched on X-ray
Home: Next dayafter one night

In short

Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) shrinks a large goitre with multiple nodules without surgery. A tiny tube is passed from the wrist to the arteries that feed the thyroid, and tiny particles block them. There is no cut on the neck, no scar and no general anaesthesia.

Who is it for

This treatment is for you if:

Your goitre is large, with multiple nodulesToo many to treat one by one with a needle.
It presses on your throatTrouble swallowing, a choking feeling lying flat, or a change in voice.
You do not want a neck scarNothing is cut on the neck. The tube goes in at the wrist.
Surgery is risky for youHeart or lung problems, older age, or you want to avoid general anaesthesia.

Not sure? Share your thyroid scan and blood reports. Dr. Nagateja Bonala will tell you if it suits you.

The procedure

How is it done?

1. Scan and planUltrasound or CT shows the size of the goitre, its nodules and whether it extends into the chest. Blood tests check thyroid function. An FNAC rules out cancer.
2. Tube from the wristUnder local anaesthetic, a very thin tube is passed from the wrist artery up to the thyroid arteries, watched on X-ray.
3. BlockTiny particles are released into the arteries feeding the goitre. Usually two or three of its four arteries are treated, so some healthy supply is kept.
4. ShrinkThe tube is removed and a band is placed on the wrist. Over the next months the goitre shrinks and pressure symptoms ease.

Results

Does it work?

57%smaller thyroid by 6 months56 patients [1]

63%shrinkage in goitres over 100 mL, vs 50% with needle ablationComparison study [2]

19/22overactive thyroids back to normal levelsSame 56-patient series [1]

Compare

Embolization vs ablation vs surgery

TAEAblationSurgery

CutNone, wrist punctureNone, needle in neckNeck cut and scar

Best forLarge goitre, multiple nodulesOne or a few nodulesSuspected cancer

AnaesthesiaLocal + sedationLocalGeneral

Thyroid tabletsUsually not neededUsually not neededLifelong if fully removed

Stay1 nightSame day2–3 days

Recovery

How soon will I be back?

Day 0Procedure through the wrist. One night in hospital.
Days 1–5Neck ache, mild swelling, low fever. Eased with tablets.
Week 1Back to daily routine.
Months 1–3Pressure and swallowing ease. Thyroid blood test.
Month 6Ultrasound shows how much it has shrunk.

Side effects

What to expect after

Neck pain, swelling and low fever for a few days as the goitre reacts. Eased with tablets.
A short rise in thyroid hormone (palpitations) in the first weeks, which settles.
Bruising at the wrist puncture.
Rare: an underactive thyroid needing tablets, low calcium, or particles reaching an unintended artery. Careful mapping of the arteries on X-ray before each injection is what keeps these rare.

Just one or two nodules?

A needle may be even simpler.

When there are only one or two nodules, radiofrequency or microwave ablation treats each one directly through a fine needle, as a day procedure. Embolization is kept for goitres that are large, full of nodules or reaching into the chest.

Thyroid nodule ablation →Embolization vs ablation →

FAQ

Common questions

What is thyroid artery embolization?

It is a non-surgical treatment for a large goitre. A thin tube is passed from the wrist to the arteries that feed the thyroid, and tiny particles block them. With less blood supply, the goitre shrinks over the following months. There is no cut on the neck.

Who is it for?

People with a large goitre or multiple thyroid nodules that cause a neck lump, pressure, swallowing or breathing trouble, especially when the goitre is too big or has too multiple nodules for needle ablation, extends into the chest, or when surgery and general anaesthesia are best avoided.

How much will my goitre shrink?

In a series of 56 patients, the whole thyroid shrank from 147 mL to 63 mL (about 57%) and the nodules by about 69% at 6 months. In goitres over 100 mL, one study found 63% shrinkage with embolization compared with 50% with radiofrequency ablation.

Will I need thyroid tablets for life?

Usually not. Only the arteries feeding the goitre are blocked and some healthy supply is kept, so most people keep normal thyroid function. Thyroid blood tests are checked after the procedure, and tablets are started only if needed.

Can it help an overactive thyroid?

Yes, in many people with a toxic multinodular goitre. In one series, 19 of 22 patients with an overactive thyroid (not Graves disease) had normal thyroid levels after embolization.

Is it better than needle ablation (RFA or microwave)?

They suit different goitres. Needle ablation is best for one or a few nodules. Embolization treats the whole gland through its arteries, so it suits large goitres with multiple nodules. Dr. Nagateja Bonala checks your scan and recommends the simpler option for you.

Does it hurt? What anaesthesia is used?

Local anaesthetic at the wrist with mild sedation. You stay awake and comfortable. Afterwards, neck ache and mild swelling for a few days is common and settles with tablets.

Will my voice be affected?

The voice nerve runs right next to the thyroid and is at risk in neck surgery. Embolization works from inside the arteries without touching the neck, so the nerve is not handled.

Where can I get thyroid artery embolization in Hyderabad?

Thyroid artery embolization for goitre is offered at Clinic Seven, Kukatpally, Hyderabad by Dr. Nagateja Bonala, Interventional Radiologist. Bring your thyroid ultrasound or CT, thyroid blood tests (TSH, T3, T4) and FNAC report.

Book a consultation

Bring your thyroid ultrasound or CT, TSH/T3/T4 blood tests and FNAC report.

Sources

Yilmaz S, et al. Thyroid embolization for nonsurgical treatment of nodular goiter: a single-center experience in 56 consecutive patients. J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2021.
Lee YJ, et al. Transarterial embolization outperforms radiofrequency ablation for thyroid goiters exceeding 100 mL. Eur Radiol, 2026.
Sag AA, et al. Thyroid artery embolization for benign thyroid hyperplasia. J Clin Med, 2026.
Coerts HI, et al. Thyroid arterial embolization for the management of benign and malignant thyroid disease: a systematic review. Endocr Pract, 2026.

How thyroid artery embolization works