Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
Technical report. Intra-operative ultrasound-guided needle localization for impalpable testicular lesions
R F J Browne1, M Jeffers, T McDermott
1Department of Radiology, The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland.
Aims:
To describe a new technique of intra-operative ultrasound-guided needle localization of impalpable intratesticular lesions.
Materials And Methods:
Three patients with impalpable testicular lesions identified on ultrasound underwent needle localization under ultrasound guidance. The procedure was performed in the operating theatre under general anaesthetic using a 7.5-8 MHz linear array probe and a portable ultrasound machine. Under direct guidance, a 21 G needle was placed through the centre of the lesion allowing resection and immediate frozen section analysis.
Results:
In two patients malignancy was confirmed and an orchidectomy was performed. In one patient a benign lesion was detected obviating the need for orchidectomy.
Conclusion:
Patients presenting with impalpable testicular lesions can pose a diagnostic dilemma and orchidectomy is often performed. We describe an ultrasound-guided intra-operative localization technique enabling direct pathological examination so surgical approach can be re-evaluated in the presence of a benign lesion. This is particularly important in the case of a solitary testicle in order to preserve testicular function.
