Repeat laser interstitial thermal therapy for recurrent primary and metastatic intracranial tumors

Current status and research progress of minimally invasive treatment of glioma

Glioma has a high malignant degree and poor prognosis, which seriously affects the prognosis of patients. Traditional treatment methods mainly include craniotomy tumor resection, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Although above methods have achieved remarkable curative effect, they still have certain limitations and adverse reactions. With the introduction of the concept of minimally invasive surgery and its clinical application as well as the development and progress of imaging technology, minimally invasive treatment of glioma has become a research hotspot in the field of neuromedicine, including photothermal treatment, photodynamic therapy, laser-induced thermal theraphy and TT-Fields of tumor. These therapeutic methods possess the advantages of precision, minimally invasive, quick recovery and significant curative effect, and have been widely used in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to introduce the progress of minimally invasive treatment of glioma in recent years and the achievements and prospects for the future.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy as a radiation-sparing approach for central nervous system tumors in children with cancer predisposition syndromes: report of a child with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Ionizing radiation and alkylating chemotherapies increase secondary malignancy risk in patients with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs), such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive ablation technique that has not been associated with mutagenic risks. We describe the case of a child with LFS and a history of treated choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) who developed a second primary glial tumor that was safely treated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided LITT.

OBSERVATIONS

A 4-year-old male with left parietal World Health Organization grade III CPC associated with a TP53 germline mutation was evaluated. The patient underwent neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy before near-total resection, followed by 131I-8H9 immunotherapy and 30 fractions of 54-Gy proton radiotherapy. He remained without evidence of disease for 2 years before developing a slow-growing mass adjacent to the left frontal ventricular horn. Stereotactic biopsy revealed a glial neoplasm. Given the nonsuperficial location and focality of the lesion, MRI-guided LITT was performed for ablative therapy. There were no complications, and 2 years of surveillance revealed continued retraction of the ablated tumor focus and no subsequent disease.

LESSONS

Alternatives to mutagenic therapies for brain tumors should be explored for patients with CPS. LITT paired with imaging surveillance is a logical strategy to ensure durable outcomes and mitigate treatment-related secondary neoplasms.

Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT) in Recurrent Glioblastoma: What Window of Opportunity for This Treatment?

Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment option in neurosurgery for intracranial tumors, including recurrent gliomas. The technique employs the thermal ablation of target tissue to achieve tumor control with real-time monitoring of the extent by magnetic resonance thermometry, allowing targeted thermal injury to the lesion. Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy has gained interest as a treatment option for recurrent gliomas due to its minimally invasive nature, shorter recovery times, ability to be used even in patients with numerous comorbidities, and potential to provide local tumor control. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We describe the most recent updates regarding several studies and case reports that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy for recurrent gliomas. These studies have reported different outcomes, with some demonstrating promising results in terms of tumor control and patient survival, while others have shown mixed outcomes. The success of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy depends on various factors, including tumor characteristics, patient selection, and the experience of the surgical team, but the future direction of treatment of recurrent gliomas will include a combined approach, comprising Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy, particularly in deep-seated brain regions. Well-designed prospective studies will be needed to establish with certainty the role of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioma.

Advancements in Glioma Care: Focus on Emerging Neurosurgical Techniques

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advances in understanding the molecular pathways of glioma, translating this knowledge into effective long-term solutions remains a challenge. Indeed, gliomas pose a significant challenge to neurosurgical oncology because of their diverse histopathological features, genetic heterogeneity, and clinical manifestations. Relevant sections: This study focuses on glioma complexity by reviewing recent advances in their management, also considering new classification systems and emerging neurosurgical techniques. To bridge the gap between new neurosurgical approaches and standards of care, the importance of molecular diagnosis and the use of techniques such as laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and focused ultrasound (FUS) are emphasized, exploring how the integration of molecular knowledge with emerging neurosurgical approaches can personalize and improve the treatment of gliomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice between LITT and FUS should be tailored to each case, considering factors such as tumor characteristics and patient health. LITT is favored for larger, complex tumors, while FUS is standard for smaller, deep-seated ones. Both techniques are equally effective for small and superficial tumors. Our study provides clear guidance for treating pediatric low-grade gliomas and highlights the crucial roles of LITT and FUS in managing high-grade gliomas in adults. This research sets the stage for improved patient care and future developments in the field of neurosurgery.

Seizure and anatomical outcomes of repeat laser amygdalohippocampotomy for temporal lobe epilepsy: A single-institution case series

OBJECTIVE

In patients with treatment-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a single stereotactic laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) procedure is sometimes insufficient to ablate epileptogenic tissue, particularly the medial structures often implicated in TLE. In patients with seizure recurrence after initial ablation, the extent to which a second ablation may achieve improved seizure outcomes is uncertain. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and potential efficacy of repeat LITT amygdalohippocampotomy as a worthwhile strategy for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy by quantifying changes to targeted mesial temporal lobe structures and seizure outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent two LITT procedures for drug-resistant mesial TLE at our institution were included in the study. Lesion volumes for both procedures were calculated by comparing post-ablation intraoperative sequences to preoperative anatomy. Clinical outcomes after the initial procedure and repeat procedure were classified according to Engel scores.

RESULTS

Five consecutive patients were included in this retrospective case series: 3 with right- and 2 with left-sided TLE. The median interval between LITT procedures was 294 days (range: 227-1918). After the first LITT, 3 patients experienced class III outcomes, 1 experienced a class IV, and 1 experienced a class IB outcome. All patients achieved increased seizure freedom after a second procedure, with class I outcomes (3 IA, 2 IB).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat LITT may be sufficient to achieve satisfactory seizure outcomes in some individuals who might otherwise be considered for more aggressive resection or palliative neuromodulation. A larger study to establish the potential value of repeat LITT amygdalohippocampotomy vs. other re-operation strategies for persistent, intractable temporal lobe epilepsy is worth pursuing.

The Evolution of Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Gliomas

Laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) has evolved over the past two decades to treat a number of intracranial pathologies. Although it initially emerged as a salvage treatment of surgically inoperable tumors or recurrent lesions that had exhausted more conventional treatments, it is now being used as a primary, first-line treatment in certain instances with outcomes comparable to traditional surgical resection. The authors discuss the evolution of LITT in the treatment of gliomas and future directions, which may further enhance the efficacy of this procedure.