Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in Neurosurgery

Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: Historical Perspectives and Overview of the Principles of LITT.- Technical Considerations for LITT - Getting Through the Procedure.- Special Technical Considerations: LITT in The Awake Patient and The Pacemaker Patient.- Complications of LITT.- LITT for Metastatic In-Field Recurrence.- LITT Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas.- LITT for Pediatric Brain Tumors.- LITT in the Treatment of Adult Epilepsy.- LITT in Adult Functional Neurosurgery: Movement Disorders.- LITT for Intractable Psychiatric Disease.- LITT in Pediatric Epilepsy.- LITT for Spine Tumors.- Building a LITT Practice.

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.

Veronica L. Chiang
Department of Neurosurgery
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT
USA

Shabbar F. Danish
Department of Neurosurgery
Rutgers-RWJ Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
USA

Robert E. Gross
Department of Neurosurgery
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
USA