Background The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided trans-scapular coil localization (TSCL) of scapula-blocked pulmonary nodules (PNs). Methods Between November 2015 and May 2020, 11 patients underwent preoperative CT-guided TSCL procedures owing to PN occlusion by scapula. Results A 100% technical success rate was achieved for CT-guided TSCL, with one coil being used for each PN. One patient (9.1%) developed pneumothorax. Successful video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-guided wedge resection of these scapula-blocked PNs was conducted in all patients. Conclusion CT-guided TSCL can be simply and safely used to facilitate successful VATS-guided wedge resection of scapula-blocked PNs.

BACKGROUND Madelung’s disease (MD) is a chronic alcoholism-associated metabolic syndrome characterized by symmetrical subcutaneous deposition of adipose tissue in the head, neck, shoulders, back, trunk, and nerve roots of the upper and lower limbs. It is relatively rare in Asian individuals and is prone to misdiagnosis. Herein, we report a case of a patient with MD who had undergone surgical management at our hospital, and we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of MD. CASE SUMMARY We report a case of MD in a 65-year-old man of Han descent. The patient had multiple, painless progressive masses for more than five years in the neck and more than 30 years in the upper back. Because of neck mobility limitations and progressive cosmetic deformities caused by the masses, he was admitted to our hospital. He drank approximately 500 mL of liquor per day and smoked heavily for more than 30 years. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck and chest documented abundant unencapsulated, subcutaneous fatty deposits. We prepared a staged operation plan. The patient was diagnosed with MD; he was advised to abstain from alcohol and was followed up regularly. After a 3-month follow-up, no recurrence of fat accumulation was found in the surgical areas. CONCLUSION This report presents a case of surgical treatment for MD to improve clinicians' understanding of the disease.