Recent update of image diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in thoracic surgery
Recently, there have been increasingly more advancements in new image diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for use in the diagnosis and management of thoracic diseases. The use of low-dose computed tomography screening is increasing, thus resulting in an increase in the detection rate of early lung cancers. Thoracoscopic surgery for such small, ground glass nodule is challenging for thoracic surgeons. Therefore, preoperative or intraoperative image-guided localization is important and necessary for the surgical intervention of such cases. In this focused issue of Annals of Translational Medicine (ATM), a comprehensive review of the different image-guided localization methods of small lung nodules is provided by expert investigators in the field. It also looks to novel diagnostic techniques for computed-tomography image analysis of early lung cancers. By means of these novel feature analysis methods, the preoperative diagnosis could be more precise than before.
We are delighted by the contributions of all authors in this focused issue, as well as all the ATM Editorial Board and all the faculties of AME Publishing Company. This focused issue aims to provide a comprehensive review and recent update on these image diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in thoracic surgery. These manuscripts may bring you the latest updates in these fields, and we hope that you could find this information helpful in caring for your patients.
Acknowledgements
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