Electromagnetic Navigation-Guided Preoperative Localization of Small Malignant Pulmonary Tumors

Thoracoscopic resection of small pulmonary nodules can be challenging, which highlights the importance of preoperative localization. We report our experience with electromagnetic navigation-guided localization.

The clinical, radiographic, surgical, and pathologic data of patients who underwent electromagnetic navigation-guided preoperative localization for pulmonary tumors smaller than 2 cm were reviewed. Successful localization was defined as successful identification of target lesions during the thoracoscopic procedure without palpation.

Included were 30 patients with 35 nodules. There were 31 transthoracic and 5 transbronchial approaches performed. One patient received both approaches for the same tumor, and 3 received both approaches for localization of multiple targets. The median nodule size was 1.0 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8-1.2 cm), and the median distance from the pleural surface was 1.1 cm (IQR, 0.6-2.0 cm). The most commonly used marker for localization was dye (n = 18), followed by microcoils (n =15). In nodules located with microcoils, the median distance between the microcoil and nodule was 1 mm (IQR, 0-3 mm). There were no complications related to the localization procedure. Successful localization was achieved in 27 of 30 patients (90.0%) and in 32 of 35 nodules (91.4%). The pathologic diagnosis was primary pulmonary malignancy in 29 nodules and secondary pulmonary malignancy in 6.

Our experience with electromagnetic navigation-guided transbronchial and transthoracic preoperative localization of small, malignant pulmonary tumors shows this technique is feasible and appears to be a viable option for preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules that may be difficult to locate thoracoscopically.