Korean J Radiol.  2015 Jun;16(3):657-661. 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.3.657.

Cryoablation of a Small Pulmonary Nodule with Pure Ground-Glass Opacity: A Case Report

• Kim KY
• Jin GY
• Han YM
• Lee YC
• Jung MJ

• KMID: 2155537
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2015.16.3.657

Abstract

Treatments for pure ground-glass nodules (GGNs) include limited resection; however, surgery is not always possible in patients with limited pulmonary functional reserve. In such patients, cryoablation may be a suitable alternative to treat a pure GGN. Here, we report our initial experience with cryoablation of a pure GGN that remained after repeated surgical resection in a patient with multiple GGNs. A 5-mm-sized pure GGN in the left lower lobe was cryoablated successfully without recurrence at the 6-month follow-up.

Keyword

Cryosurgery; Cryoablation; Lung neoplasms; Multiple pulmonary nodules

MeSH Terms

Cryosurgery/*methods
Female
Humans
Lung Neoplasms/radiography/*surgery
Middle Aged
Multiple Pulmonary Nodules/radiography/*surgery
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 59-year-old woman diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of right lung. Computed tomography scans were obtained 1 week before surgery. A. 12-mm partially solid nodule was detected in lateral segment of right middle lobe (arrow). B. 7-mm pure ground-glass nodule (GGN) was located in right upper lobe (arrow). C. Two 5-mm GGNs were located in each of lower lobes (arrows). Computed tomography (CT) scans taken before and after cryoablation. D. Follow-up CT image after two surgeries shows pure ground-glass nodule (GGN) remaining in left lower lobe (arrow). E. Location of cryoprobe tip near GGN in left lower lobe was visualized on C-arm cone-beam CT scan. F. Projection radiography under real-time fluoroscopy shows cryoprobe introduced into lung. G. Enveloped ablated zone was noted surrounding pure GGN in left lower lobe after cryoablation. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan after cryoablation. H. Size of ablated zone had decreased markedly on CT scan taken 2 months after cryoablation. I. Ablated zone enveloping pure ground-glass nodule in left lower lung lobe had changed to linear parenchymal band 6 months after cryoablation.

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