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Review
. 2022 Nov 2;24(Suppl 6):S42-S51.
doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noac208.

Laser hyperthermia: Past, present, and future

Alexander J Schupper  1 , Tori Chanenchuk  1 , Anna Racanelli  1 , Gabrielle Price  1 , Constantinos G Hadjipanayis  2
Affiliations
Review

Laser hyperthermia: Past, present, and future

Alexander J Schupper et al. Neuro Oncol. .

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an ablative procedure using heat from a laser to provide cytoreduction in tissue. It is a minimally invasive procedure that has been used in intracranial pathologies such as high-grade gliomas, metastatic lesions, epilepsy, and other lesions. While LITT may offer a more acceptable complication profile compared to open surgery, the role of laser therapy for intracranial lesions in current treatment paradigms continues to evolve. This review will focus on the background and application of LITT, the current evidence for its use, and future directions for the technology.

Keywords: LITT; glioma surgery; laser interstitial thermal therapy; laser surgery.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustration showing Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT). (A) Representation of the intratumoral placement of the laser catheter and tumor ablation. (B) Representation of ablation with post-LITT contrast enhancement related to BBB disruption and peri-lesional edema (Permission from Skandalakis et al.).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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