Magnetic resonance imaging: Controlled interstitial laser therapy in children with vascular malformations

Background and Objective: Interstitial laser therapy (ILT) is a minimally i nvasive treatment method for congenital vascular malformations (CVM). This study was intended to show whether or not open magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) offers a means of on-line thermometry and procedure control. Study Design/Patients and Methods: ILT using a bare fiber and an Nd:YAG las er was applied in 20 children with CVM under open MR-control. Results: With the open MR-systems, needle placement and advancement was exc ellent in all cases. On-line thermometry was possible in 90% of the therapy spots. The 6 week MR follow-up revealed a 76% reduction in tumor size in 1 4 patients. Clinical symptoms improved in 85% of the patients. Conclusion: MR-guided ILT could become a safe method to treat selected type s or selected regions of CVM. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.