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Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
The utility of simultaneous CT-guided localization for multiple pulmonary nodules using microcoil before
Yanyan Xu1, Lingchuan Ma2, Hongliang Sun3
1Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
Background:
To evaluate the feasibility and safety of microcoil in simultaneous localization for multiple pulmonary nodules before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
Methods:
Twenty-eight consecutive patients (26 two-nodule, 2 three-nodule; 58 nodules in total; Group A) underwent simultaneous CT-guided localization of multiple pulmonary nodules before VATS using microcoil. Successful targeting, localization, and VATS were defined as implantation of microcoil at the target site on CT image which was obtained immediately after the marking procedure, visualization of nodule location, and complete resection of the target nodule with adequate margin, respectively. Meanwhile, the clinical characteristics, localization procedure-related variables of the nodules and procedure-related complications in group A were also assessed and compared with those in a control group (221 single-localization procedures in 221 patients; Group B).
Results:
Similar rates of successful targeting, localization and VATS were observed in group A and B (96.6% vs. 98.2%; 91.4% vs. 91.0%; 100% vs. 99.1%). Although the rate of overall complications (including localized pneumothorax and intrapulmonary hemorrhage) was a bit higher in group A than that in group B (32.8% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.771), only minor complications were observed in the subjects of the two groups with no need for further treatment. In addition, the duration of simultaneous localization procedures was significantly longer than that of single localization (24 ± 7.5 vs.13 ± 6 min, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
CT-guided simultaneous microcoil localization for multiple pulmonary nodules before VATS was clinically feasible and safe with acceptable increase in the procedure time. Compared with localization for a single pulmonary nodule, simultaneous microcoil localizations for multiple nodules were prone to pneumothorax and hemorrhage. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups.
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