Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies targeting thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) receptors stimulate the receptors so that excessive thyroid hormones are produced . The disease is characterized by hyperthyroidism, goiter and, in some cases, ophthalmopathy. Currently, three established modalities to treat this disease exist: surgery, radioactive iodine, and antithyroid medication. However, these three therapies all have some limitations and disadvantages.

Medication, consisting of antithyroid drugs for 12 to 18 months, has a major disadvantage with a high relapse rate between 20% and 75%.

The use of radioactive iodine is associated with delayed onset and a high cumulative hypothyroid incidence over 10 years greater than 70%.

Although surgery offers the advantage of quick control of hyperthyroidism and in experienced hands carries extremely low morbidity, it may be complicated by recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or permanent hypoparathyroidism after near-total thyroidectomy. With the considerable progress made in endovascular technology in recent years, there has emerged a therapy for Graves’ disease through thyroid arterial embolization. This approach involves embolization of most of the thyroid tissue to reduce its thyroid hormone secretion, hence restoring the patient to euthyroidism. To date, clinical experience with this therapy has been minimal. The aim of this study was to report our initial experience in treating selected patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease with thyroid arterial embolization.