Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Neurological Conditions

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) involves the introduction of a laser fiber probe to deliver thermal energy for the targeted ablation of diseased tissue. The goal of therapy is selective thermal injury through the maintenance of a sharp thermal border, as monitored via the parallel use of real-time magnetic resonance (MR) thermography and controlled with the use of actively cooled applicators. In neurological applications, LITT involves the creation of a transcranial burr hole for the placement of the laser probe at the target brain tissue. Probe position, ablation time, and intensity are controlled under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. LITT has been proposed as a less invasive treatment option for patients with neurological conditions compared to surgery. Two LITT systems, Visualase and NeuroBlate, have received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).