Preoperative Computed Tomography-guided Localization for Lung Nodules: Localization Needle Versus Coil

Lung nodules are frequently diagnosed and often exhibit a high potential for malignancy such that they are commonly diagnosed and treated via video-assisted thoracic surgery approaches. Preoperative computed tomography-guided localization strategies are commonly employed to improve the successful rate of video-assisted thoracic surgery-guided sublobar (wedge or segmental) resection procedures. One recent meta-analysis found coil localization to be associated with the lowest rate of complications of tested localization materials. Hook-wire has also been widely used due to its simple placement approaches. However, a number of recent reports have suggested that hook-wire insertion approaches are associated with an increased potential for frequent and potentially severe complications.

The use of a novel lung nodule localization needle strategy based on the modification of this previously described hook-wire approach has recently been employed in clinical contexts. Such localization needles have the potential to incur lower rates of detachment and complications relative to the hook-wire strategy without resulting in an increase in localization difficulty. The relative clinical efficacy of localization needle-based strategies compared to that of other localization materials, however, has yet to be established in the context of lung nodule localization.