A new method for accurately localizing and resecting pulmonary nodules

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Low-dose CT screening increases early lung cancer detection, leading to more small pulmonary nodules.
• Resecting small, deep, non-solid lung nodules via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery presents significant surgical challenges.
• Current localization methods have limitations, including patient immobility requirements and potential complications.

Observation:

• Traditional methods like CT-guided hook-wire or dye injection require patient activity restriction post-localization.
• Previous electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy techniques used melamine dye, which has associated drawbacks.
• This case introduces indocyanine green (ICG) as a novel localization agent.

Findings:

• Indocyanine green (ICG) was injected under electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy guidance for accurate pulmonary nodule localization.
• Small pulmonary nodules were successfully resected under fluoroscopic guidance following ICG localization.
• This new method offers a potentially more effective approach to nodule localization.

Implications:

• This technique may enhance the precision and safety of minimally invasive resection for small pulmonary nodules.
• It could reduce complications associated with traditional localization methods.
• Further research may validate ICG as a superior agent for preoperative nodule localization in lung cancer surgery.