OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic response to thyroid arterial embolization for primary hyperthyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five women whose pharmacological treatment with thionamides failed to control Graves' disease were submitted to embolization of three dominant thyroid arteries (following assessment with ultrasound Doppler and arteriography) and followed-up at the 1st, 8th and 16th weeks after the procedure, with ultrasound Doppler, calcium blood test, thyroid function test and clinical examination. Three of the patients completed 16-week follow-up. RESULTS: None of the patients achieved permanent remission after 8 weeks. Disease recurrence was observed at the 24th week, despite the decrease in thyroid volume (49.5 ± 15.2%) observed at the 16th week. Complications were not observed, but radioiodine therapy was required for three of the patients followed-up. CONCLUSION: Embolization of three dominant thyroid arteries with polyvinyl alcohol allowed reduction in goiter volume in the three patients who completed the protocol, but was not effective to control hyperthyroidism.

Keywords: Hyperthyroidism; Treatment; Embolization.