NEEDLE WIRE LUNG NODULE LOCALIZATION FOR THORACOSCOPIC RESECTION

Small lung nodules undiagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy have trad itionally gone to thoracotomy for diagnosis. We describe a technique u sing computed tomographic needle/wire lung localization of these nodul es, to be resected using video-assisted thoracoscopy. This is less inv asive and less painful than thoracotomy and provides for cost-effectiv e definitive diagnosis.