OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of computed tomography(CT)-guided marking using dyes in patients undergoing lung resection for peripheral nodules. METHODS: Between January 1997 and August 2002, the location of small pulmonary nodules was identified with the aid of CT-guided marking in 52 patients scheduled for surgery. Dye-injection was performed in 52 patients (indigo carmine, n = 15; indocyanine green, n = 37). The average nodule size was 9.2 mm (range, 3 to 18 mm). RESULTS: The procedure using dyes proved to be easy and safe: the dyes were easily injected near the nodules, and no serious complications ensued. Intraoperatively, indocyanine was superior to indigo carmine with respect to visualization of the dyed pleural surface. CONCLUSION: The preoperative CT-guided injection of indocyanine green proved to be the most useful and safest technique for identifying peripheral pulmonary nodules in patients scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery or minimal thoracotomy.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of computed tomography(CT)-guided marking using dyes in patients undergoing lung resection for peripheral nodules. METHODS: Between January 1997 and August 2002, the location of small pulmonary nodules was identified with the aid of CT-guided marking in 52 patients scheduled for surgery. Dye-injection was performed in 52 patients (indigo carmine, n = 15; indocyanine green, n = 37). The average nodule size was 9.2 mm (range, 3 to 18 mm). RESULTS: The procedure using dyes proved to be easy and safe: the dyes were easily injected near the nodules, and no serious complications ensued. Intraoperatively, indocyanine was superior to indigo carmine with respect to visualization of the dyed pleural surface. CONCLUSION: The preoperative CT-guided injection of indocyanine green proved to be the most useful and safest technique for identifying peripheral pulmonary nodules in patients scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery or minimal thoracotomy.