Laser thermal therapy: Real-time MRI-guided and computer-controlled procedures for metastatic brain tumors

Alexandre Carpentier, Roger J. McNichols, R. Jason Stafford, Jean Pierre Guichard, Daniel Reizine, Suzette Delaloge, Eric Vicaut, Didier Payen, Ashok Gowda, Bernard George

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    181 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background and Objective We report the final results of a pilot clinical trial exploring the safety and feasibility of real-time magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) for treatment of resistant focal metastatic intracranial tumors. Study Design In patients with chemotherapy, whole-brain radiation, and radiosurgery resistant metastatic intracranial tumors, minimally invasive stereotaxic placement of a saline-cooled interstitial fiberoptic laser applicator under local anesthesia was followed by laser irradiation during continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. A computer workstation extracted real-time temperature-sensitive information for feedback control over laser delivery. A total of 15 metastatic tumors were treated in 7 patients. Patients were followed with physical exam and imaging for 30 months. Results In all cases, the procedure was well tolerated, and patients were discharged home within 24ahours. Follow-up imaging at up to 30 months showed an acute increase in apparent lesion volume followed by a gradual and steady decrease. No tumor recurrence within thermal ablation zones was noted. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the median survival was 19.8 months. Conclusion Real-time magnetic resonance (MR) guidance of laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) offers a high level of control. This tool therefore enables a minimally invasive option for destruction and treatment of resistant focal metastatic intracranial tumors. MR-guided LITT appears to provide a safe and potentially effective treatment for recurrent focal metastatic brain disease. A larger phase II and III series would be of interest to quantify potential median survival advantage.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)943-950
    Number of pages8
    JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine
    Volume43
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2011

    Keywords

    • MRI-guided thermal therapy
    • laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT)
    • magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI)
    • metastasis
    • minimally invasive therapy
    • tumor

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