Abstract
Background Radiosurgery is becoming an increasingly used modality for the medically inoperable early stage lung cancer patient. The optimal fiducial marker with respect to retention rate has yet to be identified. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our experience with electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopic fiducial marker placement in preparation for stereotactic radiosurgery. Results Forty-eight patients, treated between 2010 and January 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had a diagnosis of early stage lung cancer. Comparison of initial fiducial placement procedure data with imaging at the time of treatment was accomplished for all patients in this data set. Fiducial retention rates were as follow: VortX coil fiducials were retained in 59 of 61 (96.7%) cases; two-band fiducials were retained in 24 of 33 (72.7%) of instances; and gold seed fiducials were retained in 23 of 33 (69.7%) of cases. Retention was statistically superior when comparing the VortX coil with the two-band fiducial or the gold seed (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0001). Anatomic location by lobe was analyzed, but no statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusions The VortX coil fiducial marker showed a statistically significant increase in retention rate compared with gold seeds or two-band fiducials. This may translate to cost savings through placing fewer markers per patient as retention is high. © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.