Percutaneous computed tomography-guided localization of pulmonary nodules with hook wire prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

To evaluate the use of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided localization of suspicious intrapulmonary nodules with hook wire prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). From April 2010 to February 2011, 15 patients with suspicious subpleural pulmonary nodules underwent preoperative CT-guided hook wire localization of the lesions, prior to VATS. Histological analysis of the resected suspicious pulmonary nodules revealed malignancy in 12 cases, 2 cases with granulomas and 1 case with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Better results were achieved with the double-thorn hook wire. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in the patient with BOOP, due to limited hemorrhage at the site of the lesion. Preoperative CT-guided nodule localization using hook wire fixation is a useful and safe technique that helps in the precise localization of suspicious lesions, reduces the operation time, the postoperative complications, and the hospitalization.