Phantom and in vivo accuracy of frameless optical navigation in stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy.

Objective: Targeting accuracy presents a key factor in achieving maximal safe ablation in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). The VarioGuide system has proven precise for brain biopsies, but data showing its accuracy in combination with LITT are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the phantom and in vivo accuracy of LITT probe placement using the VarioGuide system and to evaluate the effect of targeting error on maximum possible ablation volume.

Study protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial on the (cost)effectiveness of biopsy combined with same-session MR-guided LITT versus biopsy alone in patients with primary irresectable glioblastoma (EMITT trial).

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary, malignant brain tumour with a 5-year survival of 5%. If possible, a glioblastoma is resected and further treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT), but resection is not feasible in about 30% of cases. Current standard of care in these cases is a biopsy followed by CRT.

MR-guided LITT therapy in patients with primary irresectable glioblastoma: a prospective, controlled pilot study.

Purpose: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is increasingly being used in the treatment of brain tumors, whereas high-quality evidence of its effectiveness is lacking. This pilot examined the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in patients with irresectable newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM), and generated data on technical feasibility and safety.

Methods: We included patients with irresectable nGBM with KPS ≥ 70 and feasible trajectories to ablate ≥ 70% of the tumor volume.

Stereotactic laser ablation in neuro-oncology - A survey among European neurosurgeons.

Introduction: In the last decades, the application of stereotactic laser ablation (SLA) for the treatment of intracranial tumours has been growing, even though comparative trials are lacking. Our aim was to investigate the familiarity with SLA of neurosurgeons in Europe and their opinion regarding potential neuro-oncological indications. Furthermore, we investigated treatment preferences and variability for three exemplar neuro-oncological cases and willingness to refer for SLA.

Between-hospital variation in time to glioblastoma surgery: a report from the Quality Registry Neuro Surgery in the Netherlands.

Objective: Patients with glioblastoma are often scheduled for urgent elective surgery. Currently, the impact of the waiting period until glioblastoma surgery is undetermined. In this national quality registry study, the authors determined the wait times until surgery for patients with glioblastoma, the risk factors associated with wait times, and the risk-standardized variation in time to surgery between Dutch hospitals.

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review.

Background: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimal invasive neurosurgical technique for the treatment of brain tumors. Results of LITT have been reported in a case series of patients with deep seated and/or recurrent glioblastoma or cerebral metastases. With this review we aim to summarize the currently available evidence regarding safety and effectiveness of LITT in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM).

Diagnostic accuracy of flat-panel computed tomography in assessing cerebral perfusion in comparison with perfusion computed tomography and perfusion magnetic resonance: a systematic review.

Purpose: Flat-panel computed tomography (FP-CT) is increasingly available in angiographic rooms and hybrid OR's. Considering its easy access, cerebral imaging using FP-CT is an appealing modality for intra-procedural applications. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FP-CT compared with perfusion computed tomography (CTP) and perfusion magnetic resonance (MRP) in cerebral perfusion imaging.

Armored brain in a young girl with a syndromal hydrocephalus.

The authors present a case of a young girl affected by a syndromal hydrocephalus who developed a bilateral ossified chronic subdural hematoma with the typical radiological appearance of "the armored brain". Bilateral calcified chronic subdural hematoma is a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There is controversy in the treatment, but most published literature discourages a surgical intervention to remove the calcifications.

Atlanto axial rotatory dislocation in adults: a rare complication of an epileptic seizure--case report.

Atlanto Axial Rotatory Dislocations (AARDs) are a heterogeneous group of post-traumatic pathologies typical of the pediatric age, and rare in adults. We describe the case of a 34-year-old woman, developing Atlanto Axial Rotatory Fixation (AARF) after a generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure, an extremely rare traumatic cause never described in literature. AARF was detected only 1 month after the accident and nonsurgical treatment was attempted at the beginning.