INTERSTITIAL LASER THERMOTHERAPY IN NEUROSURGERY - A REVIEW

One of the most recent laser treatment modalities in neurosurgery is i nterstitial laser thermotherapy (ILTT). In this review, experimental a nd clinical studies concerning intracranial ILTT are discussed. Two me thods for intra-operative control of the laser induced lesions are des cribed; i.e., computer-controlled power delivery, using a thermocouple that is positioned interstitially at the periphery of the tumour to m aintain the desired temperature at that point, and MRI, to visualise t he extent of the thermal lesions induced by ILTT. The results show tha t ILTT using a Nd:YAG laser is easy and relatively effective in the tr eatment of small deep-seated brain tumours with minimal risk and compl ications. This review is concluded with suggestions for further improv ement of this treatment modality.