Computed tomography-guided indocyanine green localization of multiple ipsilateral lung nodules

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 20% of lung nodule (LN) patients have more than one moderate-to-high malignant risk LNs. When performing one-stage video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in patients with multiple LNs, the ability to simultaneously localize all of these nodules is critical to operative success. AIM: To explore the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided indocyanine green (IG) localization for multiple ipsilateral LNs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 278 LN patients who underwent CT-guided IG localization prior to VATS resection. Of these patients, 68 underwent localization of multiple ipsilateral LNs, whereas 210 underwent localization of a single LN. RESULTS: In total, 160 LNs were localized in 68 patients in the multiple localization group, while one LN was localized for each of the 210 patients in the single localization group. A 100% technical success rate was achieved in both of these groups, and the mean respective localization durations in the multiple and single LN groups were 11.3 ±4.7 min and 6.3 ±2.7 min (p = 0.001). Of the patients in the multiple and single LN groups, 22 and 15, respectively, experienced pneumothorax (p = 0.001), while 14 and 20 experienced lung hemorrhage (p = 0.016). Wedge/segmental LN technical success rates in both of these groups were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The CT-guided IG-mediated localization of multiple ipsilateral LNs is a safe and effective strategy, although it requires a longer operative duration and is associated with higher rates of adverse events as compared to single nodule localization.