Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided coil localization (CL) approach for scapula-blocked lung nodules (SBLNs).
Material and methods: A total of 123 patients with LNs were treated via CT-guided CL and subsequent VATS-guided wedge resection from January 2015 to June 2020. Of these patients, 12 (9.8%) exhibited SBLNs and underwent CT-guided CL. Technical success of localization and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-guided wedge resection, and localization-related complications were recorded and analyzed.
Results: The technical success rate of CT-guided CL was 100%. Each patient was placed with one coil. The mean duration of CT-guided CL was 14.7 ± 2.7 min. One patient (8.3%) developed asymptomatic pneumothorax, which has not impacted the subsequent VATS procedure. Successful VATS-guided wedge resection of these SBLNs was achieved in all patients, with no instances of conversion to thoracotomy. Additional lobectomy was performed in three patients. The mean duration of the VATS procedure and blood loss were 143.8 ± 95.5 min and 110.0 ± 82.0 ml, respectively.
Conclusions: The approach of CT-guided CL could be safely and easily utilized to facilitate high rates of success when conducting the VATS-guided wedge resection of SBLNs.
Keywords: Localization; coil; lung nodule; scapular.