Preoperative computed tomography-guided percutaneous localization of ground glass pulmonary opacity with polylactic acid injection

Abstract

Localization of a ground glass nodule is a difficult challenge for thoracic surgeons, especially for ground glass opacities (GGOs) less than 10mm in diameter. In this study we implement a new method for preoperative localization of pulmonary (GGOs). From October 2013 to December 2014, computed tomography-guided percutaneous polylactic acid injection localizations were performed for five pulmonary nodules in five patients (2 men and 3 women; mean age, 59.8 years; range, 54-65 years). The injection was feasible in all patients and the localization effect was excellent. The total procedure duration was 12.6 minutes (range; 10-15) and the volume of polylactic acid injected was 0.38mL. The wedge resections were easily and successfully performed in all five cases. The cutting margin was no less than 2cm from the lesion. This technique is promising for the determination of GGO location in thoracoscopic surgery for wedge resection.