Thoracoscopic localization techniques for patients with solitary pulmonary nodule: radioguided surgery versus hookwire localization.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare 2 different methods for localization of peripheral pulmonary lesions requiring thoracoscopic resection: radioguided surgery (still considered an innovative method) and computed tomography-guided hookwire localization.
Methods: Thirty randomized patients (21 males and 9 females), ranging from 21-74 years, average age 56.3 years) with solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) were enrolled in this prospective study. Inclusion criteria was: a maximum nodule diameter of less than 3 cm and a maximum distance from the visceral pleura of 3 cm. The patients were subdivided into 2 equal groups and one of the 2 different methods for diagnosing SPN was applied. Group A received a thoracoscopy using the scinti-probe technique and group B received a thoracoscopy aided by a hooked needle.
Results: The frozen section revealed a primitive pulmonary tumor in 13 cases, intestinal adenocarcinoma metastasis in 3 cases and renal cancer metastasis in 1 case. The remaining 13 cases were pathologically benign: sarcoidosis in 6 cases, hamartochondroma in 3 cases, scleroanthracosis in 2 cases and tuberculoma in 2 cases.
Conclusion: On the basis of our experience, the conclusion is drawn that this methods has been proven efficacious in the diagnosis of SPN, and video-assisted thoracoscopy allows for the removal of pulmonary nodules without complications.