title: Image-guided techniques for localizing pulmonary nodules in thoracoscopic surgery.
abstract: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has increased the detection rate for small pulmonary nodules with ground-glass opacity (GGO) in the peripheral lung parenchyma. Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery for these lung nodules is challenging for thoracic surgeons, and image-guided preoperative localization is mandatory for their successful resection. Image-guided localization methods primarily include two imaging tools: computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy. These different methods may use different localized materials, including hookwires, dyes, microcoils, fiducial markers, contrast media, and radiotracers. Ultrasonography and near-infrared imaging are also used for intraoperative localization of lung lesions. In this article, we review different localization techniques and discuss their indications and limitations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mong-Wei
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jin-Shing
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Computed tomography (CT); electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy; pulmonary nodule; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)