Noninvasive computed tomography-guided marking technique for peripheral pulmonary nodules

Nontraumatic intraoperative pulmonary nodule localization with laser guide stamping in a hybrid operating room

Lung nodule localization using conventional image-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery involves lung puncture, which increases the risk of needle-related complications. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a single-stage non-invasive laser-guided stamping localization technique followed by resection under general anesthesia in a hybrid operating room. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery for small pulmonary nodules using laser-guided dye-stamping localization methods in a hybrid operating room between June 2023 and October 2023. During the study period, 18 patients with 20 lesions underwent single-stage intraoperative image-guided stamping video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the hybrid operating room. The median size of the nodules was 7.4 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 5.7-9.8 mm), and median distance from the pleural surface was 9.8 mm (IQR 7.7-14.6 mm). The median localization time was 26 min (IQR 23-34 min), whereas median operation time was 69 min (IQR 62-87 min). The total median operating room time was 146 min (IQR 136-157 min). Twelve patients underwent less than two cone-beam computed tomography scans, while 6 underwent more than two scans. The total median dose area product, including cone-beam computed tomography scans, was 5731.4 uGym2. No localization-related complications were observed, and the postoperative length of stay was 1 day (IQR 1-2 days). The single-stage image-guided pleural stamping technique for localizing small pulmonary nodules in a hybrid operating room is feasible and safe. Future research with larger cohorts is required to further explore the benefits of this workflow.

Precision CT‑guided marking with India ink and microcoils for laparoscopic resection of a lateral lymph node recurrence of rectal cancer: A case report

Although rarely used in laparoscopic surgery, computed tomography (CT)-guided marking is useful for targeting small lesions. The present study describes the performance of laparoscopic resection with preoperative CT-guided marking for lateral lymph node recurrence of rectal cancer. A 48-year-old man underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection for rectal cancer (postoperative diagnosis, stage IIIb). Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was then administered. Solitary lymph node recurrence was observed in the left lateral region after 6 months. Systemic chemotherapy reduced the size of the metastatic lymph nodes; however, 3.5 years after the surgery, the diameter increased by 10 mm, and laparoscopic resection was thus planned. Because the target lesion was small and located deep in the pelvis, preoperative CT-guided marking was performed with India ink injection and embolization microcoil implantation. The markers were clearly identified and the lesion was successfully resected with adequate margins. The approach described in the present study is thus considered potentially useful for the detection of small lesions.

Application of the indocyanine green fluorescence imaging method in laparoscopic resection of a solitary retroperitoneal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma: A case report

Fluorescence image-guided surgery has improved intraoperative identification of anatomic structures including visualization of vascular anatomy. Herein, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging was applied to identify of a recurrent small tumor of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) during laparoscopic surgery. The patient underwent left laparoscopic radical nephrectomy via the retroperitoneal approach for RCC (clear cell carcinoma, pT1bN0M0) at the age of 39 years. A solitary retroperitoneal mass (14 mm in diameter) was identified in a computed tomography scan 6 years after surgery. We performed laparoscopic resection with the application of the ICG angiography, because RCC is recognized as one of the most hypervascular cancers. The tumor was clearly visualized by fluorescence. Histopathological diagnosis of the resected tumor was recurrent RCC (low grade, G1). The patient remained free of disease at 2 years after surgery. The ICG fluorescence imaging would be a useful method for identification of metastatic small lesions of RCC during laparoscopic surgery.

[THE USE OF CT-GUIDED MARKING FOR THE LAPAROSCOPIC RESECTION OF A SOLITARY RETROPERITONEAL TUMOR]

When resecting small tumors or tumors with an irregular margin, a marking technique is conducted prior to the surgery. CT-guided marking techniques are common in pulmonary surgery, but it is rarely used in abdominal or urological surgery. We performed a marking technique for a small tumor that was undetectable by ultrasound using CT guidance prior to laparoscopic resection.A 63 year-old woman, two years after total hysterectomy for uterine stromal sarcoma, underwent combined right kidney resection and retroperitoneal tumor resection for a giant recurrence. Two months after the surgery, micro recurrence was observed in the vicinity of the right intestinal psoas muscle which upon follow up, the tumor size increased to 1 cm. Surgical resection of the small recurrent tumor was planned. Since it was difficult to detect by ultrasound, preoperative CT-guided marking was performed. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection was performed the following day. The histopathological diagnosis was endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Virtual thoracoscopic imaging-assisted pleural marking of pulmonary nodules

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is now able to detect small pulmonary nodules. Surgical resection for diagnosis of these nodules is widely performed with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, it is very difficult to localize a small tumor by palpation via a small access port. In this study, we aimed to describe a novel intraoperative method for marking the location of the pulmonary nodule.

Methods

In 46 cases, a virtual thoracoscopic image was reconstructed using the CT images of the chest using volume rendering software before surgery. During thoracoscopic surgery, a pleural marker was affixed to the parietal pleura, just above the tumor, by referring to the virtual thoracoscopic image. The pleural marker dye was then transferred to the point on the visceral pleura just above the nodule. The distance between the center of the marking and the visceral pleura closest to the tumor was measured to evaluate the accuracy of the marking.

Results

The mean distance between the center of the marking and the visceral pleura closest to the tumor was 10.2 mm. In 42 cases (92%), the tumor was within 30 mm of the marked point. All tumors were fully resected. No morbidity occurred intra- or postoperatively.

Conclusions

Our pleural marking, using a virtual thoracoscopic image, identified the tumor location with high accuracy, may help surgeon to confirm whether the palpated nodule is the target one. This new procedure can assist in the localization of the pulmonary nodule with ease of application, safety, and accuracy.

[Advances in the Study of the Effects of Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy on Pulmonary Function]

2018年美国国立综合癌症网络关于非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）指南指出，对于早期NSCLC，解剖性肺叶切除为首选方案。随着电视胸腔镜技术的发展，以胸腔镜为代表的胸外科微创手术在临床得到了广泛应用。胸腔镜肺段切除术已经成为早期NSCLC的治疗方案之一。临床研究发现相较于肺叶切除，亚肺叶切除在早期NSCLC治疗中也可取得相似的结果并保留更多的肺功能，但肺段切除术后患者肺功能的改变尚存争议。本文将重点对胸腔镜肺段切除术后患者肺功能改变的研究进展做一综述。

Thoracoscopic small pulmonary nodule detection using computed tomography-guided cutaneous marking and pleural marking

Background

In recent years, small lung nodules have been detected by computed tomography (CT). Wedge resection of small pulmonary nodules is widely performed with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, it is extremely difficult to identify the position of a small tumor by palpation using a small access port. Therefore, this study aimed to describe a newly devised method of marking the location of the tumor.

Methods

In 51 cases, we marked the skin directly above the tumor under CT guidance before surgery and then placed a pleural marker with dye on the parietal pleura directly below the region marked on the skin using a catheter needle. To evaluate the accuracy of the marking, the distance between the center of the marking and the visceral pleura closest to the tumor was measured.

Results

The mean distance between the center of marking and the visceral pleura closest to the tumor was 12.4 mm. In 47 cases (92%), the tumor was within 30 mm from the marking site. The surgical approach was VATS in 44 cases. In one case, conversion to open surgery was required for palpation of the tumor. All tumors were resected completely. No morbidity was observed during or after surgery.

Conclusions

Our CT-guided cutaneous marking and pleural marking method was able to identify the location of the tumor with high accuracy, making palpation easier during VATS. This new procedure should be implemented in the clinical setting given its ease of application, safety, and accuracy.

Efficiency of thoracoscopic palpation in localizing small pulmonary nodules

PURPOSE

The thoracoscopic localization of small and deep pulmonary nodules can be challenging. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficiency of thoracoscopic palpation in tumor detection.

METHODS

The subjects of this study were 229 patients with a collective 267 indeterminate pulmonary nodules ≤ 15 mm in diameter, in the outer third of the lung field. The nodules were localized by palpation using the forefinger or a metal suction probe. Based on the distance from the pleura-to-tumor size ratio (D/S), the nodules were classified into group A (D/S = 0), group B (0 < D/S ≤ 1), and group C (D/S > 1).

RESULTS

The median tumor diameter was 10 mm. All 267 nodules were palpable and resected with negative margins via thoracoscopic wedge resection. The majority of the deep nodules had no pleural change (11%, 86%, and 100% in groups A, B, and C, respectively; P < 0.01). The median margins were 15, 16, and 14 mm in groups A, B, and C, respectively. In four patients (1.5%) with relatively short margins (2-7 mm), an additional intraoperative wedge resection was performed.

CONCLUSION

Thoracoscopic palpation was effective for tumor detection when the nodules were located in the outer third of the lung.

The Use of CT-Guided Marking for the Laparoscopic Resection of a Solitary Retroperitoneal Metastasis of Colon Cancer

Background: CT-guided marking technique is rarely used in abdominal or urologic surgery. We developed and performed a marking technique for a small tumor, undetectable by ultrasound, using CT guidance before laparoscopic resection of the tumor. Case Presentation: A 73-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer underwent right colectomy with D3 lymph node dissection for ascending colon cancer. Five years after the operation, a solitary tumor was found in the right pararenal region of the retroperitoneal space on enhanced abdominal CT. The tumor was 20 mm in diameter and undetectable by ultrasound, so we performed a marking technique using CT guidance before the operation. Placing the patient in a prone position on the CT table, a 22-gauge needle was inserted into the Gerota's fascia percutaneously and a mixed fluid containing India ink and Iopamidol was injected para to the tumor by the radiologist. During the surgery, the marker was clearly identified and the cutting line was determined to ensure a sufficient surgical margin. The tumor was laparoscopically resected as planned. The histopathologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, compatible with metastasis of colon cancer. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient remained free of disease at 10 months after surgery. Conclusion: When resecting small tumors or tumors with an irregular margin, a marking technique is conducted before the surgery. But, preoperative CT-guided marking has not been applied generally for resection of intraabdominal lesion yet. CT-guided marking can be effective when performing minimally invasive and curable surgery on small tumors. This is the first report of an effective CT-guided marking before retroperitoneal laparoscopic tumorectomy. We believe that this technique provides an important therapeutic option for small tumors that may be undetectable by ultrasound.

Novel techniques for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery segmentectomy

Small lung cancers are being increasing diagnosed because of advances in computed tomography (CT) and low-dose CT screening. Sublobar resection of peripheral, small lung nodules, such as ground-glass nodules, is a useful therapeutic option that obtains both a pathological diagnosis and radical cure. Lung segmentectomy is a better option than wedge resection for securing a sufficient surgical margin and can also be used to assess hilar nodes. Anatomical segmentectomy, however, is a technically more complicated operative procedure than standard lobectomy. We describe the issues and novel techniques of video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy.