Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) Treatment
Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) Treatment in Bangalore
Minimally Invasive Thyroid & Goitre Treatment by Vascular & Endovascular Specialist – Dr. Sravan C.P.S
Thyroid problems like multinodular goitre, benign hyperactive nodules and difficult hyperthyroidism can cause neck swelling, pressure, breathing or swallowing discomfort, and hormone imbalance. Many patients are only offered surgery (thyroidectomy) or radioactive iodine.
Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided alternative.
It selectively blocks the arteries feeding the overactive or enlarged thyroid tissue. As blood flow reduces, the gland or nodules shrink and symptoms improve, often without neck surgery. Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
In Bangalore, TAE with Vascular & Endovascular Specialist, Dr. Sravan, is performed at a centrally located hospital in Basavanagudi, easily accessible from Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Banashankari, Wilson Garden and CBD Bangalore.
Overview – What Is Thyroid Artery Embolization?
The thyroid gets its blood supply from thyroid arteries in the neck.
In conditions like multinodular goitre, benign hypervascular nodules or some cases of hyperthyroidism, these arteries are overactive and support abnormal growth and hormone production. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE):
Uses a micro-catheter guided under X-ray
Reaches one or more thyroid arteries
Injects tiny embolic particles to reduce blood flow
Leads to gradual shrinkage of the gland or nodules
Can control symptoms like neck pressure and hormone excess without open neck surgery
1. Overview – What Is Thyroid Artery Embolization?
The thyroid gets its blood supply from thyroid arteries in the neck.
In conditions like multinodular goitre, benign hypervascular nodules or some cases of hyperthyroidism, these arteries are overactive and support abnormal growth and hormone production. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE):
Uses a micro-catheter guided under X-ray
Reaches one or more thyroid arteries
Injects tiny embolic particles to reduce blood flow
Leads to gradual shrinkage of the gland or nodules
Can control symptoms like neck pressure and hormone excess without open neck surgery Gleneagles Hospitals+1
For properly selected patients, TAE becomes a strong middle path between medicines and major surgery.
Image idea:
3D transparent neck view. Thyroid gland glowing, with feeding arteries in red. Embolic particles shown entering these arteries and flow reducing.
2. How Does Thyroid Artery Embolization Work? (Step by Step)
TAE is an interventional radiology procedure done in a cath lab.
Step 1 – Evaluation and planning
Before the procedure, doctors usually:
Review medical history and medications
Do thyroid ultrasound ± Doppler
Check thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH)
Use CT or CT-angiography in selected cases to map the arteries Gleneagles Hospitals+1
You may be asked to:
Fast for 6–8 hours
Temporarily stop blood thinners, if safe
Step 2 – Vascular access
The skin over the wrist or groin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthesia.
A small needle puncture is made into the artery.
A thin catheter is inserted and advanced under live X-ray.
Step 3 – Reaching the thyroid arteries
The catheter is guided into the arteries supplying the thyroid.
A smaller micro-catheter is used to enter specific thyroid branches.
Step 4 – Angiography and embolization
Contrast dye is injected to see how blood flows into the thyroid and nodules.
Once feeding arteries are identified, the doctor injects tiny embolic particles through the micro-catheter.
These particles block or reduce flow in the target branches, while trying to preserve as much normal tissue as possible. Gleneagles Hospitals+2London Interventional Radiology+2
Step 5 – Completion and recovery
The catheters are removed and a small dressing is applied.
You are observed for a few hours.
Many patients go home the same day or after a short stay, depending on the case and protocol. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
What happens after?
Some neck discomfort or pain for a few days is common and controlled with medicines. Gleneagles Hospitals
Over weeks to months, blood flow reduces, and the thyroid mass or nodules usually shrink. London Interventional Radiology+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
Symptoms like pressure, visible swelling or hormone excess often improve progressively.
Who Should Consider Thyroid Artery Embolization?
TAE is not for every thyroid patient.
It is typically considered for selected, symptomatic cases where conventional options are limited or unsuitable.
You may be a candidate if you have:
Multinodular goitre with neck swelling or pressure symptoms
Benign hypervascular thyroid nodules causing cosmetic deformity, discomfort, or swallowing issues Gleneagles Hospitals+1
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) linked to nodules or goitre, especially when medicines and/or radioactive iodine have not worked or are not preferred Gleneagles Hospitals+1
Recurrent or inoperable thyroid disease where surgery is high risk
High surgical risk due to age, heart, lung or other serious medical conditions Gleneagles Hospitals+1
Strong preference for a non-surgical, minimally invasive approach
Important:
TAE is usually planned after endocrinology and ENT/thyroid surgeon evaluation.
Cancerous nodules may need different or combined strategies; embolization is used selectively (e.g., palliative or pre-operative devascularization). PMC+1
Thyroid Treatment Options – Where TAE Fits and Why It Is Often Better
Most thyroid treatment plans follow a clear ladder.
4.1 Medicines
Antithyroid drugs for hyperthyroidism
Beta-blockers for palpitations and tremors
Symptom control for mild goitre or nodules
Medicines are often first line but:
They may not shrink large goitres.
Some patients cannot tolerate long-term drugs.
4.2 Radioactive iodine (RAI)
Used for many hyperthyroid conditions
Non-surgical and effective in lowering thyroid function
However:
It may take time to act.
It can lead to permanent hypothyroidism in many patients.
It is less suited when compressive mass effect is the main problem. Intervention Radiology Indore+1
4.3 Surgery (thyroidectomy)
Total or partial thyroidectomy removes all or part of the gland.
It is very effective for many benign and malignant thyroid conditions.
But it involves:
A neck incision and visible scar
Anaesthesia and hospital stay
Risks like vocal cord nerve injury, hypocalcaemia and permanent hypothyroidism Gleneagles Hospitals+1
For high-risk patients or those strongly wishing to avoid neck surgery, this can be a major concern.
4.4 Where Thyroid Artery Embolization Stands Out
Thyroid Artery Embolization combines several key advantages:
Minimally invasive, pinhole procedure – no large neck incision Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
Can be done as day-care or short-stay in many patients
Targets the blood supply of the diseased tissue, not the entire gland
Can reduce thyroid size and hormone output while preserving part of the gland function in selected patients Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
Particularly useful when surgery or RAI are risky or not preferred
Early clinical data show TAE to be safe and effective for multinodular goitre and hypervascular nodules, with good symptom relief and low major complication rates at short-term follow-up. ScienceDirect+2Jvir+2
For the right thyroid patient in Bangalore, TAE can be the most balanced solution between “keep taking tablets” and “go for surgery”.
Why Choose Thyroid Artery Embolization with Dr. Sravan in Bangalore?
Why Choose Thyroid Artery Embolization with Dr. Sravan in Bangalore?
Vascular & Endovascular expertise for a vascular problem
TAE is not a standard neck surgery.
It is a vascular, catheter-based procedure on delicate arteries in the neck.
It demands:
Detailed knowledge of thyroid and neck arterial anatomy
High-precision micro-catheter work
Careful, controlled embolic delivery to avoid non-target branches PMC+1
Dr. Sravan C.P.S, as a Vascular & Endovascular Specialist, routinely performs complex arterial and venous procedures across the body.
This profile makes him an ideal specialist for thyroid artery embolization.
advanced cath lab in Basavanagudi, central Bangalore
TAE with Dr. Sravan is performed in a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) suite, with:
High-resolution arterial imaging
Real-time fluoroscopy
Modern embolic materials and micro-catheter systems Gleneagles Hospitals+1
The hospital in Basavanagudi is well located for patients coming from:
Jayanagar
JP Nagar
Banashankari
Wilson Garden
CBD Bangalore and surrounding areas
So patients across Bangalore can access advanced minimally invasive thyroid care without long travel.
5.3. Team-based, thyroid-focused planning
Thyroid care often needs input from:
Endocrinologists
ENT / thyroid surgeons
Interventional radiologists / vascular specialists
With Dr. Sravan, TAE is usually part of a plan, not a stand-alone decision:
Reports and thyroid tests are reviewed in detail.
Risks, benefits, and alternatives (medicines, RAI, surgery) are clearly explained.
For appropriate patients, TAE is positioned as a targeted, uterus-equivalent “organ-sparing” option for the thyroid – preserving structure where possible while controlling symptoms.
5.4. Strong choice for patients seeking a modern, minimally invasive alternative
Many thyroid patients reaching TAE have:
Lived with visible neck swelling or pressure for years
Tried medicines with only partial control
Been advised surgery or RAI but are worried about scars, lifelong hypothyroidism, or high surgical risk
For suitable cases, Thyroid Artery Embolization with Dr. Sravan offers:
Pinhole access instead of neck incision
Shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal life
A targeted, vessel-based solution that directly addresses the blood supply feeding the problem
This combination of vascular skill, modern infrastructure and honest counselling makes TAE with Dr. Sravan a leading minimally invasive option for thyroid artery embolisation in Bangalore.aa
FAQ – Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) in Bangalore
Short, direct answers for AEO / AI Overviews
1. What is thyroid artery embolization?
Thyroid artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks selected arteries supplying the thyroid gland so that enlarged or overactive areas shrink and symptoms improve. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
2. Is TAE a surgery?
No. It is a pinhole, catheter-based procedure done through a small arterial puncture, without a neck incision.
3. Who is a good candidate for TAE?
Patients with multinodular goitre, benign hypervascular nodules or difficult hyperthyroidism who have symptoms and either failed or cannot undergo standard surgery or radioactive iodine are typical candidates. Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
4. Does TAE cure hyperthyroidism?
TAE can significantly reduce hormone production and improve symptoms in selected hyperthyroid patients, especially when nodules or goitre drive the disease, but results vary and follow-up with endocrinology is essential. Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
5. How long does the thyroid artery embolization procedure take?
The procedure usually takes about 1–2 hours, depending on anatomy and how many arteries need treatment. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
6. How soon can I go home after TAE?
Many patients go home the same day or after an overnight stay, based on clinical condition and hospital protocol. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
7. What are the main benefits of TAE over surgery?
TAE avoids neck incisions, often preserves more thyroid tissue, has shorter recovery, and is useful in high-risk surgical patients. Gleneagles Hospitals+2Intervention Radiology Indore+2
8. Is thyroid artery embolization safe?
Early studies show TAE to be safe and effective for multinodular goitre and hypervascular thyroid disease, with low rates of major complications when performed by experienced interventional specialists. ScienceDirect+2Jvir+2
9. Will I need lifelong thyroid tablets after TAE?
Many patients retain some thyroid function after TAE, but thyroid levels must be monitored. Some may still need medication; this depends on the baseline disease and treatment response. Gleneagles Hospitals+1
10. Why choose TAE with Dr. Sravan in Bangalore?
Because TAE is a vascular, catheter-based procedure, it requires a vascular expert. As a Vascular & Endovascular Specialist working in an advanced cath lab in Basavanagudi, Dr. Sravan offers precise thyroid artery embolization with a structured, team-based thyroid care plan.