Multiple pulmonary nodules with high metabolic activity: Potential benefit of multiple nodule biopsies by video-assisted thoracic surgery: A case report

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess complex cases of multiple pulmonary nodules (PNs) with high metabolic activity that may have benefited from being managed in a manner outside the formal guidelines. The study describes the case of a patient with multiple highly metabolically-active PNs, where an original diagnosis of lung cancer metastasis was proposed. Following a failed transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), multiple nodule biopsies by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) were performed, and a diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC; stage IA) and tuberculosis was reached. This case report demonstrated that multiple nodule biopsies by VATS were effective and were able to improve the prognosis without delay.