Rationale: Portal hypertension (PHT) is either a significant risk factor of development of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA), or predisposing factor of rupture. Patient concerns: A 57-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital because of multiple SAAs with PHT, suffered from episodes of haematemesis. Diagnosis: Emergency ultrasound of the abdomen showed remarkable cirrhosis and splenomegaly. Two days later, CT angiography reveal two SAA located in the splenic artery, as well as splenomegaly and features of PHT. Interventions: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed to decrease portal venous pressure and control esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage. Coil embolization of the main splenic artery was performed to complete thrombosis of the two SAAs and relieve critical hypersplenism. Outcomes: After 3 months, follow-up enhanced CT confirmed complete thrombosis of the main splenic artery and the two aneurysm sac, and partial splenic infarction (approximately 50%). Lessens: TIPS can control easophagogastric variceal hemorrhage and decrease portal venous pressure, coil embolization of the main splenic artery can promote permanent thrombosis of aneurysm sac and relieve hypersplenism.

Background The aim of the study was to investigate and summarize the effectiveness and safety of CT-guided microcoil localization before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the removal of ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods A total of 147 patients with GGO who were treated at our hospital between January 2019 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to the final position at the end of the microcoil: intracavity (n = 78) and extracavity (n = 69), which were compared based on puncture complications and influence of the coil end position on VATS. Results The proportions of supine and prone positions in the intracavity group were significantly higher than those in the extracavity group (82.1% vs. 66.7%, P < 0.05). The incidence of intrapulmonary hemorrhage, chest pain, and coil displacement in the intracavity group was significantly lower than that in the extracavity group (28.2% vs. 46.4%, 19.2% vs. 39.1%, 1.3% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.05, respectively); however, the incidence of pneumothorax was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The time of VATS and the rate of conversion to thoracotomy in the intracavity group were significantly lower than those in the extracavity group (103.4 ± 21.0 min vs. 112.2 ± 17.3 min, 0% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion CT-guided placement of the microcoil is a practical, simple, and convenient localization method before VATS, with a high success rate and few complications. Furthermore, it is a better alternative method to place the end of the coil in the pleural cavity because of the lower complication rate, shorter VATS time, and lower rate of thoracotomy conversion.

Background The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of multiple punctures in computed tomography (CT)-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules with other risk factors for common complications. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent CT-guided microcoil localization and subsequent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) between January 2020 and February 2021 were enrolled. Nodules successfully located after only one puncture were defined as the single puncture group, and nodules requiring two or more punctures were defined as the multiple puncture group. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the number of punctures and pneumothorax and intrapulmonary hemorrhage. Results A total of 121 patients were included. There were 98 (68.1%) pulmonary nodules in the single puncture group compared with 46 (31.9%) nodules in the multiple puncture group. The frequencies of pneumothorax and intrapulmonary hemorrhage were higher in the multiple puncture group than in the single puncture group (p = 0.019 and <0.001, respectively). Binary logistic regression demonstrated that independent risk factors for developing pneumothorax included lateral positioning of the patient (p < .001) and prone positioning (p = 0.014), as well as multiple punctures (p = 0.013). Independent risk factors for intrapulmonary hemorrhage included the distance between the distal end of the coil and the surface of the pleura (p = 0.033), multiple punctures (p = 0.003), and passage through the pulmonary vasculature (p < 0.001). Conclusion Multiple punctures resulted in an increased incidence of pneumothorax and intrapulmonary hemorrhage compared with single puncture during CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules and were independently associated with both pneumothorax and intrapulmonary hemorrhage.

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You may cite this article as: Tian Y, An J, Zou Z, et al. CT-guided microcoil localization for scapula-blocked pulmonary nodules using penetrating lung puncture before video-assisted thoracic surgery.