Image-guided localization of small lung nodules in video-assisted thoracic surgery

For most of the pulmonary nodules discovered incidentally by thoracic imaging, the likelihood of them becoming malignant varies according to their size. For lesions smaller than 4 mm, the probability is only 1%, whereas it is 10–20% for nodules between 8 to 20 mm and 50% for those whose size is greater than 20 mm (1,2). Despite the fact that small nodules tend to be benign rather than malignant, such nodules may require a more invasive approach in terms of diagnosis and excision because of the low accuracy rate and false-negative biopsy samples via conventional percutaneous approaches and bronchoscopy