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‹ Thu · 30 Apr 2026
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Labelling of subpleural pulmonary nodules with blue dye and contrast agents under CT-guided control and subsequent video-assisted thoracoscopic resection: the BLUEPAT prospective randomised study

A trial will test whether dye-marking helps surgeons remove small lung nodules less invasively, addressing a real clinical diagnostic challenge.

The BLUEPAT trial protocol describes a 72-participant randomized study evaluating CT-guided color marking of subpleural lung nodules with Patent Blue V and iohexol prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic resection, extending breast cancer sentinel node technology to pulmonary indications. As a protocol-only publication, no efficacy data are available; the approach addresses a relevant clinical need for minimally invasive diagnosis of small lung nodules.

What the study was

Study design
Prospective randomized controlled trial protocol
Population
Patients with subpleural lung nodules requiring histological diagnosis (n=72 planned); randomized 1:1
Sample size
72
Category
Early Detection
Maturity
Exploratory
Journal
Trials

Why it surfaced

Trial protocol only; no results data; approach is procedural rather than molecular; limited direct connection to liquid biopsy/ctDNA watchlist topic.

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