PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - R. Medvid
AU  - A. Ruiz
AU  - R.J. Komotar
AU  - J.R. Jagid
AU  - M.E. Ivan
AU  - R.M. Quencer
AU  - M.B. Desai
TI  - Current Applications of MRI-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in the Treatment of Brain Neoplasms and Epilepsy: A Radiologic and Neurosurgical Overview
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A4362
DP  - 2015 Jun 25
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2015/06/25/ajnr.A4362.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2015/06/25/ajnr.A4362.full
AB  - SUMMARY: Minimally invasive stereotactic tumor ablation is a viable option for the treatment of benign and malignant intracranial lesions. Although surgical excision constitutes first-line therapy for various brain pathologies, it can cause irreversible neurologic deficits. Additionally, many patients who may benefit from surgery do not qualify as surgical candidates due to multiple comorbidities. Recent advancements in laser interstitial thermal therapy, namely the ability to monitor ablation in real-time under MR imaging, have improved the safety and efficacy of the procedure. MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy is currently used as a minimally invasive treatment for brain metastases, radiation necrosis, glioma, and epilepsy. This article will discuss the principles, suggested indications, complications, and imaging characteristics of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy as they pertain to the treatment of brain pathology.AbbreviationsGBMglioblastoma multiformeLITTlaser interstitial thermal therapyMRgLITTMRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapyMRTIMRI thermal imagingRNdelayed radiation necrosisSRSstereotactic radiosurgery