Postoperative computed tomography of insufflated lung specimens obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery: detection and margin assessment of pulmonary nodules

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the utility of computed tomography (CT) scans to detect and assess the margin status of pulmonary nodules that were insufflated after being resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a novel multicenter study conducted at two national referral centers for thoracic diseases. Patients suspected of having lung cancer underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for the resection of pulmonary nodules, which were submitted to postoperative CT. Measurements from the CT scans were compared with the results of the histopathological analysis. Results: A total of 37 pulmonary nodules from 37 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 65 years (range, 36-84 years), and 27 (73%) were female. A CT analysis of insufflated specimens identified all 37 nodules, and 33 of those nodules were found to have tumor-free margins. The histopathological analysis revealed lung cancer in 30 of the nodules, all with tumor-free margins, and benign lesions in the seven remaining nodules. Conclusion: Postoperative CT of insufflated suspicious lung lesions provides real-time detection of pulmonary nodules and satisfactory assessment of tumor margins. This initial study shows that CT of insufflated lung lesions can be a valuable tool at centers where intraoperative histopathological analysis is unavailable.

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma

“…However, given its high malignancy and very poor prognosis, it is essential to obtain a definite diagnosis. The importance of imaging modalities has been highlighted to improve the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases ( 3 ). 18 F-FDG PET/CT has been widely used in the diagnosis, staging, surveillance, and prognostication of various tumors, including malignancies in the lung.…”