Preoperative Computed Tomography-Guided Localization for Pulmonary Nodules with Glue and Dye

This study was aimed to describe a new localization technique developed using medical glue and methylene blue dye, and characterized the localization results and postoperative outcome to evaluate its safety and usefulness.

This retrospective study was conducted at our center from January 2016 to April 2018. Totally 346 consecutive patients with 383 nodules who underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided medical glue and methylene blue dye localization, followed by lung resection, were enrolled in this study.

Mean nodule size was 7.7 ± 3.7 mm (range: 2-30 mm), with a mean depth from pleura or fissure of 9.4 ± 9.3 mm (range: 0-60 mm). The success rate of CT-guided localization for pulmonary nodules was 99.5% (381/383) of the nodules. Localization-related complications included mild pneumothorax in 16 (4.6%) patients, mild hemothorax in 7 (2.0%) patients, and hemoptysis in 1 (0.3%) patient. Pleural reaction occurred in 7 (2.0%) and pain in 25 (7.2%) patients. All 383 nodules were resected successfully, with conversion to thoracotomy only required in two patients for adhesion and calcification of lymph nodes. All patients recovered well postoperatively, with a short postoperative hospital stay (3.7 ± 2.0 days) and a low complication rate (2.6%, 9/346).

CT-guided medical glue and methylene blue dye localization prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resection was a novel, safe, and technically feasible method, with a high-technical success rate and a low-complication rate. It allowed surgeons to easily locate and detect the nodules and estimate the surgical margin.