MRI-guided laser ablation for pediatric intracranial pathology: single center experience
摘要
This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) in 88 consecutive pediatric patients involving lesional and non-lesional epilepsy, brain tumors, cavernous malformations, and other intracranial masses.
MethodsA retrospective case series was performed on pediatric patients who underwent MRgLITT by the senior author between 2016 and 2024. Demographic, intraoperative, and outcome data were analyzed.
ResultsEighty-eight patients (47 males, mean age 14.0 years) were included. Indications comprised epilepsy (68 patients, 80 procedures), brain tumors (25 patients, 26 procedures), and cavernous malformations (8 patients, 8 procedures). Complications occurred in 12 of 88 patients (13.6%), including three major complications (3.4%). Among epilepsy patients, 35 of 68 (51.5%) achieved an ILAE 1 outcome. Among tumor patients, 17 of 25 (68%) had no recurrence at latest follow-up. CCM patients had favorable clinical courses; among those with follow-up MRI, 6 of 7 demonstrated no residual lesion. Seizure outcomes did not differ significantly between lesional and non-lesional epilepsy cohorts: ILAE 1 outcomes occurred in 28 of 49 (57.1%) lesional versus 7 of 19 (36.8%) non-lesional patients. Reoperation was more frequent in non-lesional patients (6 of 19, 31.6%), though ultimate outcomes were comparable (p = 0.17). On multivariable analysis, higher social vulnerability index predicted poorer seizure outcomes, highlighting the impact of social determinants on surgical results.
ConclusionsMRgLITT demonstrated favorable safety and indication-specific outcomes for pediatric epilepsy, tumors, and cavernous malformations in this single-surgeon series. These findings support its role as both a primary and adjuvant treatment in pediatric neurosurgery.