[Hookwire localization of pulmonary nodules for video-thorascopic surgical resection].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of a technique for inserting hookwires guided by computed tomography to locate and resect pulmonary nodules by video-assisted thoracoscopy. To describe the procedure and its complications.


METHODS
Nine pulmonary nodules were located in nine patients. All were </= 2 cm in diameter, radiologically undefined and of unknown origin. Four patients had a history of cancer. The nodules were located using the needle/hookwire system (Kopans), guided by computed tomography and were resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery.


RESULTS
The hookwire was placed correctly in 8 patients and incorrectly in 1. Thoracotomy was necessary for 1 patient. The histologic diagnosis was benign for all 9 nodules; 5 were hamartomas, 2 were necrotic or fibrotic nodules, 1 was a granuloma and 1 was an anthracotic node. Hospital stay ranged from 1 to 8 days (mean 3.3 days).


CONCLUSIONS
The location of pulmonary nodes by hookwire and needle for later resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a simple, safe way to facilitate removal in some cases, for diagnosis and treatment.
Soleto
M J
MJ
Servicios de Radiología, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Olivera
M J
MJ
Pun
Y W
YW
Moreno
R
R
Nieto
S
S
Caballero
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D012449:Safety; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*