[CT-guided wire marking of peripheral pulmonary coin lesions--value for thoracoscopic resection]

Thoracoscopic identification of small and deep seated peripheral lung lesions may be difficult. To facilitate resection in such cases, a technique of CT-guided transthoracic hook wire localisation has been developed. We used this technique for localization of 12 peripheral lung lesions in 11 patients. In all cases the hook wire was correctly placed within or just beside the nodule and subsequent thoracoscopic resection was fast and easily accomplished in all. The described localization technique has a low complication rate and can be recommended for patients with small peripheral lung nodules subjected to thoracoscopic surgery.