Computed tomography-guided coil injection and thoracoscopic pulmonary resection under roentgenographic fluoroscopy

To remove a small, chest roentgenogram-negative, computed tomogram-positive nodule, we developed a novel technique of thoracoscopic pulmonary resection. This technique consists of the computed tomography-guided coil injection of a metallic coil and subsequent thoracoscopic resection under roentgenographic fluoroscopy. During the thoracoscopic resection, the fluoroscopic image was a valuable aid in determining the location of the nodule and in ensuring that the stapler was applied with a sufficient distance from the coil. Because this technique helps to determine the exact location of the nodule regardless of its depth from the pleural surface, even a minithoracotomy for direct palpation can be avoided.