skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Complications Associated with the Percutaneous Insertion of Fiducial Markers in the Thorax

Journal Article · · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology (United States)

PurposeRadiosurgery requires precise lesion localization. Fiducial markers enable lesion tracking, but complications from insertion may occur. The purpose of this study was to describe complications of fiducial marker insertion into pulmonary lesions.Materials and MethodsClinical and imaging records of 28 consecutive patients with 32 lung nodules or masses who underwent insertion of a total of 59 fiducial markers before radiosurgery were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsEighteen patients (67%) developed a pneumothorax, and six patients (22%) required a chest tube. The rates of pneumothorax were 82% and 40%, respectively, when 18-gauge and 19-gauge needles were used for marker insertion (P = 0.01). Increased rate of pneumothorax was also associated with targeting smaller lesions (P = 0.03) and tumors not in contact with the pleural surface (P = 0.04). A total of 11 fiducials (19%) migrated after insertion into the pleural space (10 markers) or into the airway (1 marker). Migration was associated with shorter distances from pleura to the marker deposition site (P = 0.04) and with fiducial placement outside of the target lesion (P = 0.03).ConclusionFiducial marker placement into lung lesions is associated with a high risk of pneumothorax and a risk of fiducial migration.

OSTI ID:
21428878
Journal Information:
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 33, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1007/s00270-010-9949-0; Copyright (c) 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE); Article Copyright (c) 2010 The Author(s); ISSN 0174-1551
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

High Retention and Safety of Percutaneously Implanted Endovascular Embolization Coils as Fiducial Markers for Image-Guided Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy of Pulmonary Tumors
Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21428878

Frequency and Risk Factors of Various Complications After Computed Tomography-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Tumors
Journal Article · Tue Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology · OSTI ID:21428878

Implantation and Stability of Metallic Fiducials Within Pulmonary Lesions
Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21428878