CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules before VATS: clinical experience in 1059 patients

Objective To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods A total of 1059 consecutive patients with 1331 pulmonary nodules treated between July 2018 and April 2021 were included in this study. Of the 1331 nodules, 1318 were localized using the tailed method and 13 were localized using the non-tailed method. The localization technical success rate and complications of the microcoil localization procedure were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine potential risk factors for technical failure, pneumothorax, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Results The technical success rate of the localization procedure was 98.4% (1310/1331 nodules). Nodule location in the lower lobes (p=0.015) and need for a longer needle path (p<0.001) were independent predictors of technical failure. All localization procedure-related complications were minor (grade 1 or 2) adverse events, with the exception of one grade 3 complication. The most common complications were pneumothorax (302/1331 nodules [22.7%]) and pulmonary hemorrhage (328/1331 nodules [24.6%]). Male sex (p=0.001), nodule location in the middle (p=0.003) and lower lobes (p=0.025), need for a longer needle path (p<0.001), use of transfissural puncture (p=0.042), and simultaneous multiple localizations (p<0.001) were independent risk factors for pneumothorax. Female sex (p=0.015), younger age (p=0.023), nodules location in the upper lobes (p=0.011), and longer needle path (p<0.001) were independent risk factors for pulmonary hemorrhage. Conclusions CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules before VATS using either the tailed or non-tailed method is effective and safe.