Risk factors of pneumothorax in computed tomography guided lung nodule marking using autologous blood: a retrospective study

To investigate the risk factors of pneumothorax of using computed tomography (CT) guidance to inject autologous blood to locate isolated lung nodules.

In the First Hospital of Putian City, 92 cases of single small pulmonary nodules were retrospectively analyzed between November 2019 and March 2023. Before each surgery, autologous blood was injected, and the complications of each case, such as pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage, were recorded. Patient sex, age, position at positioning, and nodule type, size, location, and distance from the visceral pleura were considered. Similarly, the thickness of the chest wall, the depth and duration of the needle-lung contact, the length of the positioning procedure, and complications connected to the patient’s positioning were noted. Logistics single-factor and multi-factor variable analyses were used to identify the risk factors for pneumothorax. The multi-factor logistics analysis was incorporated into the final nomogram prediction model for modeling, and a nomogram was established.

Logistics analysis suggested that the nodule size and the contact depth between the needle and lung tissue were independent risk factors for pneumothorax.

The factors associated with pneumothorax after localization are smaller nodules and deeper contact between the needle and lung tissue.