Laser interstitial thermal therapy in pediatric neurosurgery: a prospective nationwide study on indications, safety, and early outcomes.
This nationwide prospective cohort reports early safety and outcome data for MRI-guided LITT in 27 children, including nine treated for brain tumors, and found that same-session stereotactic biopsy was feasible in 10 patients without reported biopsy-related complications.
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This nationwide prospective cohort reports early safety and outcome data for MRI-guided LITT in 27 children, including nine treated for brain tumors, and found that same-session stereotactic biopsy was feasible in 10 patients without reported biopsy-related complications.
Research significance
The evidence shows that LITT was clinically implementable with short hospital stays and early tumor surveillance outcomes in a small, selected pediatric cohort; it supports—but does not establish—the hypothesis that LITT, potentially combined with same-session biopsy, could offer a minimally invasive treatment strategy for selected pediatric brain tumors.
Source abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate indications, safety, and early outcomes of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in a nationwide prospective pediatric cohort and to assess the feasibility of same-session stereotactic biopsy. METHODS: All consecutive pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent LITT at the Danish National Referral Center between June 2021 and October 2025 were prospectively enrolled. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and surgical variables were recorded. Safety outcomes included complications, neurological deficits, length of stay, and 30-day readmission. Seizure outcomes were assessed by Engel classification and tumor response on follow-up MRI. RESULTS: A total of 27 children (mean age 11.6 ± 4.3 years) underwent LITT, including 18 treated for drug-resistant epilepsy and 9 for tumor indications. Same-session stereotactic biopsy was performed in 10 patients without biopsy-related complications or interference with ablation. Transient neurological deficits were observed in 5 patients and persistent deficits in 3. Hospital stay was 1-2 days in 23 patients, and no 30-day readmissions occurred. Seizure freedom (Engel class I) was achieved in 67% and 50% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. In tumor patients, clinical and MRI follow-up were available in all 9 patients, with one radiographic recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide prospective cohort of 27 consecutively treated children, LITT demonstrated a favorable safety profile across epilepsy and tumor indications. Same-session stereotactic biopsy was feasible and safe, supporting LITT as a minimally invasive option in carefully selected pediatric patients.