scholarly journals Laser interstitial thermal therapy followed by minimal-access transsulcal resection for the treatment of large and difficult to access brain tumors

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Wright ◽  
Jessey Chugh ◽  
Christina Huang Wright ◽  
Fernando Alonso ◽  
Alia Hdeib ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), sometimes referred to as “stereotactic laser ablation,” has demonstrated utility in a subset of high-risk surgical patients with difficult to access (DTA) intracranial neoplasms. However, the treatment of tumors larger than 10 cm3 is associated with suboptimal outcomes and morbidity. This may limit the utility of LITT in dealing with precisely those large or deep tumors that are most difficult to treat with conventional approaches. Recently, several groups have reported on minimally invasive transsulcal approaches utilizing tubular retracting systems. However, these approaches have been primarily used for intraventricular or paraventricular lesions, and subtotal resections have been reported for intraparenchymal lesions. Here, the authors describe a combined approach of LITT followed by minimally invasive transsulcal resection for large and DTA tumors. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the results of LITT immediately followed by minimally invasive, transsulcal, transportal resection in 10 consecutive patients with unilateral, DTA malignant tumors > 10 cm3. The patients, 5 males and 5 females, had a median age of 65 years. Eight patients had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 1 had a previously treated GBM with radiation necrosis, and 1 had a melanoma brain metastasis. The median tumor volume treated was 38.0 cm3. RESULTS The median tumor volume treated to the yellow thermal dose threshold (TDT) line was 83% (range 76%–92%), the median tumor volume treated to the blue TDT line was 73% (range 60%–87%), and the median extent of resection was 93% (range 84%–100%). Two patients suffered mild postoperative neurological deficits, one transiently. Four patients have died since this analysis and 6 remain alive. Median progression-free survival was 280 days, and median overall survival was 482 days. CONCLUSIONS Laser interstitial thermal therapy followed by minimally invasive transsulcal resection, reported here for the first time, is a novel option for patients with large, DTA, malignant brain neoplasms. There were no unexpected neurological complications in this series, and operative characteristics improved as surgeon experience increased. Further studies are needed to elucidate any differences in survival or quality of life metrics.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii206-ii206
Author(s):  
Hassan Fadel ◽  
Sameah Haider ◽  
Jacob Pawloski ◽  
Hesham Zakaria ◽  
Farhan Chaudhry ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma (GBM) is uniformly associated with a poor prognosis and inevitable recurrence. Management of recurrent GBM remains unclear, with repeat surgery often employed with varying degrees of success. We evaluated the efficacy of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) for recurrent GBM when compared to a carefully matched cohort of patients treated with repeat surgical resection. METHODS A retrospective single-institution database was used to identify patients who underwent LITT or surgical resection of recurrent GBM between 2014-2019. LITT patients were matched with surgical resection patients according to baseline demographics, comorbidities, tumor location, and eloquence. Subgroup analysis matching similar patients for tumor volume was also completed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary endpoints. RESULTS A LITT cohort of 20 patients was matched to 50 similar patients who underwent repeat surgical resection. Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts apart from tumor volume, which was larger in the surgical cohort (17.5 cc vs. 4.7 cc, p< 0.01). On long-term follow-up, there was no difference in OS (HR, 0.72; 95%CI, 0.36-1.45) or PFS (HR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.29-1.53) between the LITT and surgical cohorts when controlling for tumor volume. Subgroup analysis of 23 LITT patients matched according to tumor volume with 23 surgical patients with similar clinical characteristics also found no difference in OS (HR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.33-1.30) or PFS (HR, 0.58; 95%CI, 0.90-1.05) between the cohorts. LITT patients had shorter length of stays (1 vs. 4 days, p< 0.001) and a higher rate of home discharge (84% vs. 67%, p=0.172) compared to the surgical cohort. CONCLUSION After matching for demographic, clinical, and tumor characteristics, there was no difference in outcomes between patients undergoing LITT compared to surgical resection for recurrent GBM. LITT patients had similar survival outcomes yet shorter hospital stays and more favorable dispositions, potentially mitigating post-treatment complications.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason L. Schroeder ◽  
Symeon Missios ◽  
Gene H. Barnett ◽  
Alireza Mohammad Mohammadi

AbstractIntroduction:Deep-seated hemispheric brain tumors pose unique challenges for surgical treatment. These tumors are often considered inoperable and when surgery is undertaken significant, serious, morbidity and even mortality may complicate the outcome. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery that affects tumor cell death by producing a zone of thermal tissue damage that can be monitored and controlled with the aid of real-time magnetic resonance thermography.Subjects and methods:A retrospective review of six patients treated with LITT at the Cleveland Clinic between 5/2011 and 8/2013 was performed. We evaluated clinical patient data and pre-, intra-, and post-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for correlation.Results:Six patients were treated with a total of eight separate LITT procedures for their thalamic (n=5) or basal ganglia (n=1) tumors. All tumors were histologically malignant and five were primary tumors. Pre- and post-operative neurological deficits were recorded. The two patients that underwent multiple procedures were retreated for different reasons – one due to insufficient coverage and the other due to tumor recurrence. Sustained post-operative neurological deficits were observed after three procedures and one patient died within 2 days of surgery from a thalamic hemorrhage.Conclusions:LITT is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that can lead to successful ablation of tumors of the thalamus or basal ganglia. However, this treatment has the potential for neurological morbidity or even mortality and as such further studies are needed to evaluate the true risk vs. reward potential for LITT with regard to treating deep-seated tumors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi244-vi245
Author(s):  
Rocco Dabecco ◽  
Alexander Yu ◽  
Tulika Ranjan ◽  
Linda Xu ◽  
Khaled Aziz

Abstract INTRODUCTION Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive treatment method that provides surgeons with cytoreductive techniques to treat neurosurgical conditions such as primary brain neoplasms, brain metastases, radiation necrosis, and epileptogenic lesions, many of which are located in operative corridors that would be difficult to address via open surgical or are amenable via minimally invasive approaches. Although the use of lasers is not a new concept in neurosurgery, advances in technology have enabled surgeons to perform laser treatment with the aid of real-time MRI thermography as a guide. In this report, we present our institutional series and outcomes of patients treated with LITT for 8 glial neoplasms 12 brain metastases. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 20 patients (7 male, 13 female; age range, 28–77 years) who underwent LITT at one or more targets from 2015–2019. RESULTS In our series, all patients included had prior craniotomy for either primary glioma or metastatic disease. Mean extent of ablation (EOA) was 98% on post-op MRI. Mean progression free survival varied depending on the intracranial pathology, with the glioma cohort (5 months (SDD: 3.51)) demonstrating worse outcomes than metastatic disease (8.2 months (SDD: 4.83)). Only 1 patient experienced immediate post-operative morbidity, 1 patient experienced post-operative mortality secondary to hemorrhage. Mean follow-up was 9.7 months (SDD: 5.35), with one patient lost to follow up immediately post-procedure and excluded from the study. Average hospitalization was 2.4 days (SDD: 1.0). Mean overall survival, post-diagnosis of intracranial lesion, is more favorable for metastatic lesions (48 months (SDD: 27.14)), as compared to primary glial neoplasms (31 months SDD: 11.63)). CONCLUSION Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a safe, minimally invasive treatment method that provides surgeons with cytoreductive techniques to treat neurosurgical conditions. In properly selected patients, this modality offers improved survival outcomes in conjunction with other salvage therapies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sindhura Pisipati ◽  
Kyle A. Smith ◽  
Kushal Shah ◽  
Koji Ebersole ◽  
Roukoz B. Chamoun ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is used in numerous neurosurgical applications including lesions that are difficult to resect. Its rising popularity can be attributed to its minimally invasive approach, improved accuracy with real-time MRI guidance and thermography, and enhanced control of the laser. One of its drawbacks is the possible development of significant edema, which contributes to extended hospital stays and often necessitates hyperosmolar or steroid therapy. Here, the authors discuss the use of minimally invasive craniotomy to resect tissue ablated with LITT in attempt to minimize cerebral edema. METHODS Five patients with glioblastoma multiforme prospectively underwent LITT followed by resection. The LITT was performed with the aid of an MR-compatible skull-mounted frame in the MRI suite. Ablated tumor was then resected via small craniotomy by using the NICO Myriad system or cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator. Postoperative management involved dexamethasone administration slowly tapered over several weeks. RESULTS The use of resection following LITT, as compared with open resection or LITT alone, did not extend the hospital stay except in 1 patient who required 3-day inpatient management of edema with a trapped ventricle. No new neurological deficits were encountered, although 1 patient developed seizures postoperatively. No increase in infection rates was identified. CONCLUSIONS Resection of ablated tumor is a viable option to reduce the incidence of neurological deficits due to edema following LITT. This approach appears to mitigate cerebral edema by increasing available volume for mass effect and reducing the tissue burden that may promote an inflammatory response.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John J Y Zhang ◽  
Keng Siang Lee ◽  
Mathew R Voisin ◽  
Shawn L Hervey-Jumper ◽  
Mitchel S Berger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The goal of glioblastoma (GBM) surgery is to maximize the extent of resection (EOR) while minimizing postoperative neurological complications. Awake craniotomy (AC) has been demonstrated to achieve this goal for low-grade gliomas in or near eloquent areas. However, the efficacy of AC for GBM resection has not been established. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the outcomes of AC for surgical resection of GBM using a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. Methods Systematic searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed were performed from database inception to September 14, 2019 for published studies reporting outcomes of AC for GBM resection. Outcome measures analyzed included EOR and the event rate of postoperative neurological deficits. Results A total of 1928 unique studies were identified. Fourteen studies reporting 278 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Mean age of patients was 46.9 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.9–49.9). Early and late postoperative neurological deficits occurred in 34.5% (95% CI: 21.9–48.2) and 1.9% (95% CI: 0.0–9.2) of patients, respectively. Pooled percentage of gross total resection (GTR) was 74.7% (95% CI: 66.7–82.1), while the pooled percentage reduction in tumor volume was 95.3% (95% CI: 92.2–98.4). Conclusions Limited current evidence suggests that the use of AC for resection of supratentorial GBM is associated with a low rate of persistent neurological deficits while achieving an acceptable rate of GTR. Our findings demonstrate the potential viability of AC in GBM resection and highlight the need for further research on this topic.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Dhiego C. A. Bastos ◽  
Rafael A. Vega ◽  
Jeffrey I. Traylor ◽  
Amol J. Ghia ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to present the results of a consecutive series of 120 cases treated with spinal laser interstitial thermal therapy (sLITT) to manage epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) from metastatic tumors.METHODSThe electronic records of patients treated from 2013 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Data collected included demographic, pathology, clinical, operative, and imaging findings; degree of epidural compression before and after sLITT; length of hospital stay; complications; and duration before subsequent oncological treatment. Independent-sample t-tests were used to compare means between pre- and post-sLITT treatments. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze predictive factors for local recurrence and neurological complications.RESULTSThere were 110 patients who underwent 120 sLITT procedures. Spinal levels treated included 5 cervical, 8 lumbar, and 107 thoracic. The pre-sLITT Frankel grades were E (91.7%), D (6.7%), and C (1.7%). The preoperative ESCC grade was 1c or higher in 92% of cases. Metastases were most common from renal cell carcinoma (39%), followed by non–small cell lung carcinoma (10.8%) and other tumors (35%). The most common location of ESCC was in the vertebral body (88.3%), followed by paraspinal/foraminal (7.5%) and posterior elements (4.2%). Adjuvant radiotherapy (spinal stereotactic radiosurgery or conventional external beam radiation therapy) was performed in 87 cases (72.5%), whereas 33 procedures (27.5%) were performed as salvage after radiotherapy options were exhausted. sLITT was performed without need for spinal stabilization in 87 cases (72.5%). Post-sLITT Frankel grades were E (85%), D (10%), C (4.2%), and B (0.8%); treatment was associated with a median decrease of 2 ESCC grades. The local control rate at 1 year was 81.7%. Local control failure occurred in 25 cases (20.8%). The median progression-free survival was not reached, and overall survival was 14 months. Tumor location in the paraspinal region and salvage treatment were independent predictors of local recurrence, with hazard ratios of 6.3 and 3.3, respectively (p = 0.01). Complications were observed in 22 cases (18.3%). sLITT procedures performed in the lumbar and cervical spine had hazard ratios for neurological complications of 15.4 and 17.1 (p < 0.01), respectively, relative to the thoracic spine.CONCLUSIONSsLITT is safe and provides effective local control for high-grade ESCC from vertebral metastases in the thoracic spine, particularly when combined with adjuvant radiotherapy. The authors propose considering sLITT as an alternative to open surgery in selected patients with spinal metastases.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S24-S34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Lee ◽  
Steven Kalkanis ◽  
Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis

Abstract BACKGROUND: The value of maximal safe cytoreductive surgery in recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGGs) is gaining wider acceptance. However, patients may harbor recurrent tumors that may be difficult to access with open surgery. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is emerging as a technique for treating a variety of brain pathologies, including primary and metastatic tumors, radiation necrosis, and epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: To review the role of LITT in the treatment of recurrent HGGs, for which current treatments have limited efficacy, and to discuss the possible role of LITT in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier to increase delivery of chemotherapy locoregionally. METHODS: A MEDLINE search was performed to identify 17 articles potentially appropriate for review. Of these 17, 6 reported currently commercially available systems and as well as magnetic resonance thermometry to monitor the ablation and, thus, were thought to be most appropriate for this review. These studies were then reviewed for complications associated with LITT. Ablation volume, tumor coverage, and treatment times were also reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-four lesions in 63 patients with recurrent HGGs were treated with LITT. Frontal (n = 34), temporal (n = 14), and parietal (n = 16) were the most common locations. Permanent neurological deficits were seen in 7 patients (12%), vascular injuries occurred in 2 patients (3%), and wound infection was observed in 1 patient (2%). Ablation coverage of the lesions ranged from 78% to 100%. CONCLUSION: Although experience using LITT for recurrent HGGs is growing, current evidence is insufficient to offer a recommendation about its role in the treatment paradigm for recurrent HGGs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Schupper ◽  
Gabrielle Price ◽  
Constantinos G Hadjipanayis

Abstract BACKGROUND Surgical resection is the primary treatment for cerebral metastases with safe complete resection as the goal. The robotically assisted digital surgical exoscope is a novel system with advanced visualization methods with recent applications in neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcomes for patients with cerebral metastases undergoing resection with the surgical exoscope. METHODS Data were retrospectively collected from patients with cerebral metastases where resection was achieved with using the surgical exoscope from 2016 to 2020. Demographics, clinical, imaging, and operative and outcome findings were collected. The relationship between perioperative data and discharge disposition as well as progression-free survival (PFS) and 12 mo overall survival (OS) was assessed. RESULTS A total of 31 patients (19 males) with a median patient age 63 yr (range 38-80) were included. Average pre- and postoperative volumes were 18.1 cc and 0.75 cc, respectively. Mean depth of the resected lesions was 0.6 cm (range 0-3.6 cm). Complete resection was achieved in 64.5% of patients. The mean extent of resection was 96.7%, with 71.0% achieving PFS at 6 mo. Overall PFS rate was 58.1% and the OS rate at 12 mo was 83.9%. Neurological complications included motor (35.5%) and sensory (12.9%) deficits, with 12 patients reporting no postoperative symptoms. CONCLUSION The surgical exoscope can delineate tumor tissues with high resolution, as shown by a gross total resection achieved for the majority of cases in our series. Postoperative complications and patient outcomes were similar to those reported with use of the operative microscope. Use of the exoscope can provide optimal visualization and delineation of cerebral metastases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulma Tovar-Spinoza ◽  
Robert Ziechmann ◽  
Stephanie Zyck

OBJECTIVEMagnetic resonance–guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment for the surgical treatment of epilepsy. In this paper, the authors report on clinical outcomes for a series of pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and medication-refractory epileptogenic cortical tubers.METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed at SUNY Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York. The authors included all cases involving pediatric patients (< 18 years) who underwent MRgLITT for ablation of epileptogenic cortical tubers between February 2013 and November 2015.RESULTSSeven patients with cortical tubers were treated (4 female and 3 male). The patients’ average age was 6.6 years (range 2–17 years). Two patients had a single procedure, and 5 patients had staged procedures. The mean time between procedures in the staged cases was 6 months. All of the patients had a meaningful reduction in seizure frequency as reported by Engel and ILAE seizure outcome classifications, and most (71.4%) of the patients experienced a reduction in AED burden. Three of the 4 patients who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms had some improvement in these domains after laser ablation. No perioperative complications were noted. The mean duration of follow-up was 19.3 months (range 4–49 months).CONCLUSIONSLaser ablation represents a minimally invasive alternative to resective epilepsy surgery and is an effective treatment for refractory epilepsy due to cortical tubers.


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