Simultaneous Robotic-Assisted Laser Thermal Ablation of Multiple Cortical Tubers for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in a 17-Year-Old Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Abstract

Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a new minimally invasive treatment for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated epilepsy in children. This video describes a case of a 17-year-old girl with TSC-associated drug-resistant epilepsy treated with robotic-assisted MRgLITT. In our case, MRgLITT was safe and effective in simultaneous targeting of multiple epileptic tubers in 1 single procedure, leading to a marked decrease in seizure frequency. MRgLITT could be a promising and more appealing treatment option for children who may need multiple surgeries over their lifetime as a result of the progressive nature of TSC.

Keywords: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE); MRgLITT; Stealth Autoguide robotic arm; Thermal ablation; Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).