Laser-induced thermotherapy for lung tissue--evaluation of two different internally cooled application systems for clinical use.

Thermal ablation techniques like radiofrequency or laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) are increasingly used to treat tumors of parenchymatous organs. Minimal access, parenchymal preservation, and a low complication rate render them suitable for pulmonary tumors as well. Their successful clinical application depends on the induction of sufficiently large lesions and a knowledge of the energy parameters required for complete thermal ablation.