Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy In Neurosurgery

​This book serves as a foundation for MRI guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) across neurosurgical diseases. It provides state-of-the-art information on the latest indications and results for LITT in CNS applications, as well as prerequisite historical perspective and technical fundamentals. Written by experts in the field, the text reviews the historical development of LITT, the technical and technological components required to perform LITT, its indications and contraindications, areas that still require investigation, LITT complications, and challenges to starting up LITT within one’s practice. As early adopters of the technology, the authors provide sage advice that reflects the initial learning curves of many of the users. The book then concludes with a practical guide to starting up a LITT practice in the current medical socioeconomic environment. Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in Neurosurgery is a guide that will allow all neurosurgeons interested in LITT to successfully adopt the technology and incorporate its use seamlessly, safely and appropriately into their individual practices.

In this issue of Neurosurgery Clinics, guest editors Drs. Peter Nakaji and Oliver Bozinov bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Ablative Therapies in Neurosurgery. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for infield of brain metastases; awake LITT; high frequency ultrasound ablation in neurosurgery; current application of ablative therapies for trigeminal neuralgia; and more. Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including laser interstitial thermal therapy for radionecrosis; posterior fossa LITT in children; neurosurgical applications of magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT); laser interstitial thermal therapy for epilepsy; pros and cons of ablation for functional neurosurgery in the neurostimulation age; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on ablative therapies in neurosurgery, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

The past three decades have been marked with huge enthusiasm from scientists and professionals in an effort to find a cure for glioma disease. Methods to confirm the kinds and grades of glioma have taken a path from classical macro- to microscopic pathohystological confirmation of tumors, through morphological-histological, molecular, and genetic diagnosis. Surgically, progress was made possible with the development and use of technological aids, for example neuronavigation, cortical mapping, electrocorticography, neuromonitoring, functional and intraoperative MRI, magnetoencephalography, etc. Great hope was placed on the extension of tumor resection and popular supratotal resection. Significant progress has been made generally in glioma treatment with the use of modern radiotherapy and new chemotherapeutics. What do we want to see for the future? By way of stem cells, a specific medicine will be produced, individualized for the particular patient, and by using a microcapsule it will be implanted into the brain zone affected by the tumor by way of robot surgery and injection needle. This is not at all an unrealistic expectation in the next decade or two.

In the last few years, the development of new technologies in the medical field has allowed procedures and improved surgical techniques to be performed, which until recently would have been unthinkable.Modern neurosurgery is forever tied to technological progress: the development of robotics and robotic-assisted surgery; enhanced visualization, perfusion, and function monitoring in vascular surgery; new techniques of bone reconstruction; new cerebral imaging tools; and alternative treatments such as laser interstitial thermal therapy or immunotherapy for tumors. This book is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to these new developments and to their application in clinical practice. We have tried to provide a unique background and insights to coherently present these new technologies.

In this issue of Neurosurgery Clinics, guest editors Drs. Peter Nakaji and Oliver Bozinov bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Ablative Therapies in Neurosurgery. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for infield of brain metastases; awake LITT; high frequency ultrasound ablation in neurosurgery; current application of ablative therapies for trigeminal neuralgia; and more. Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including laser interstitial thermal therapy for radionecrosis; posterior fossa LITT in children; neurosurgical applications of magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT); laser interstitial thermal therapy for epilepsy; pros and cons of ablation for functional neurosurgery in the neurostimulation age; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on ablative therapies in neurosurgery, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Developments in the field of instrumentation of innovative instrumentation. Although laser applications have permeated nearly every aspect are among the major contributions to human advancement. The history of surgery has seen of surgical therapy, the expectations have fre many revolutionary developments cause quantum quently been unrealistic and the evaluation of leaps in progress. Electrocautery, the anesthesia technological development has always been machine, computed axial tomography, and the painfully slow. The properties of vaporization, surgical microscope are all revolutionary in coagulation, and cutting unified in an invisible struments that have irrevocably changed the shaft of light have enabled the neurosurgeon to direction of neurological surgery. vaporize inaccessible tumors of brain and spinal In the early stages of application, there are cord, harness recalcitrant bleeding sites, and cut always detractors and valid controversy concern through the most formidable calcified tumors. ing the value of a new instrument. Some will The application of this new energy form in remember those who argued that the magnifica tandem with the surgical microscope has, in my tion and illumination provided by the micro opinion, extended the scope of all aspects of scope were not valuable to the skilled surgeon neurosurgery. We have much more work to do. and would prolong the operative time and in lt is necessary to document improved results and crease infection rates. Others may recall that demand technological advances and safe inno Cushing was told to abandon the blood pressure vations.

This is a multi-specialty book on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of CNS metastases of the brain and spine. Written by renowned experts in their fields, the book covers essential contemporary topics in CNS metastases care. The book is divided into seven parts that begin with chapters that cover the fundamental biology of disease so that subsequent chapters on imaging, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation can be properly contextualized. This text also provides a framework for understanding the biology of radiation therapy so that radiation treatment options of the brain and spine can be more fully understood. New medications and technologies are reviewed from the perspective of maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity, independently and as combinatorial therapy. Central Nervous System Metastases: Diagnosis and Treatment serves as a practical reference for health care providers and trainees. It provides the comprehensive, detailed perspective required to provide holistic care to patients with metastatic disease to the brain and spine.