Abstract
Background Laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique that has been
demonstrated as an effective treatment of many pathologies; however, it has never
been investigated for the use in skull base tumors.
Case Series Three patients underwent LITT for treatment of skull base meningiomas. All three
patients were determined to be poor candidates for open resection. Each patient was
treated with a single laser fiber. Postoperative imaging confirmed ablation zones
along the tract of the catheter in all three patients. Ablation zones were estimated
to be 9 to 20% of the intended to treat tumor volume. Two of three treated patients
suffered cranial nerve injury following the procedure with one patient diagnosed with
neurotrophic keratitis and one patient with symptoms consistent with anesthesia dolorosa.
Conclusion LITT is a technically feasible, minimally invasive treatment modality for skull base
lesions. Significant risk to cranial nerves and small ablation zones afforded by a
single cannula placement proposes serious obstacles. Further investigation is warranted
prior to using this technique outside of a palliative indication.
Keywords
laser interstitial thermal therapy - meningioma - minimally invasive - operative feasibility
- skull base tumor
