MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy of intracranial tumors and epilepsy: State-of-the-art review and a case study from pediatrics

Abstract

Abstract MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is gaining momentum in neurosurgery and has been described to treat brain metastases, primary tumors and radiation-induced necrosis with an excellent safety profile. LITT has been also used as a minimally invasive alternative to surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy for ablating single epileptogenic foci, such as tumors, hypothalamic hamartomas, cortical dysplasia and mesial temporal sclerosis. Novelty initial experience with multi-foci epileptogenic zones and tuberosclerosis patients is also reported. As new applications for this technology are developing and variations on its use are discussed, we present a review of the current uses and results of the LITT application on brain lesions.