RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of CT-guided radioactive Iodine-125 seed implantation in treating mediastinal tumors in the thorax with artificial pneumothorax. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Artificial pneumothorax was created using the 22 G thoracic puncture needle in 36 patients with mediastinal tumors, followed by CT-guided radioactive Iodine-125 seed implantation. An equal volume of gas was extracted after the treatment. RESULTS: The treatment was completed in 35 patients. The tumor target volumes for the radiation treatment were not significantly different before and after the artificial pneumothorax (p = 0.265). No severe complications such as refractory pneumothorax, hemoptysis, or diffuse hemorrhage in the implantation area was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial pneumothorax can reduce the CT image interference caused by the needle tract bleeding during the radioactive Iodine-125 implantation.
