Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
CT-guided Preoperative Localization of Pulmonary Nodules Using a Glucose Test and Tissue Adhesive
Published on: January 30, 2026
[Success and complication rate of CT-guided marking of pulmonary nodules with coil wires for video-assisted
K Krüger1, G Eyl, C Morgenroth
1Institut und Poliklinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln. Karsten.Krueger@vivantes.de
Purpose:
To assess the success and complication rate of the CT-guided marking of pulmonary nodules for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
Materials And Methods:
Pulmonary nodules (mean diameter 9 +/- 5 mm, mean pleural distance 7 +/- 5 mm) were marked with a coil wire in 30 patients (20 males, mean age 57.6 +/- 15.5 years, 22 patients with a history of malignancy). The intended coil-nodule distance was < or = 10 mm.
Results:
81 % of nodules were not visible by thoracoscopy. The technical success rate of CT-guided marking was 86.7 %. The projected nodule-coil distance was achieved in 90 % of cases. The procedure had to be changed from thoracoscopy to thoracotomy in 4 patients due to coil wire marking problems: 2 x coil displacement, 1 x coil-nodule distance > 10 mm, unfavorable direction of wire. Histology was determined in all patients (70 % malignant, 30 % benign). Complications requiring therapy were not observed.
Conclusions:
The CT-guided marking of pulmonary nodules is a precondition for VATS if the nodule does not involve the visceral pleura in the majority of cases. The success rate is high with a low complication rate.
