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The efficacy of laser interstitial thermal therapy in the management of spinal metastases: a systematic review of the literature

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Abstract

Background

In the last years, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has started to be used also in neurosurgical setting. Its efficacy for intracranial pathologies, namely, tumors and epilepsy, has been widely demonstrated. However, the literature evidences about the use of LITT for spinal lesions are recent, and it is still a topic of discussion regarding its efficacy. Here, the authors sought to present a systematic review of the literature investigating the utility of LITT for spinal lesions.

Methods

Using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, the authors performed a systematic review of the literature focused on the use of spinal laser interstitial thermal therapy (sLITT). Included in the search were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and clinical series. Two independent reviewers conducted the study appraisal, data abstraction, and quality assessments of the studies.

Results

Out of the initial 134 studies, 6 met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, resulting in a total of 206 patients. All the patients have been treated with sLITT for compressive spinal metastases. Most of the lesions were thoracic (88.8%). All the studies reported an effective local control of the disease with a reduction of epidural compression at 30 days. Complication rate was 12.6%, but most of them were transient conditions, and only 3.4% patients needed a revision surgery.

Conclusion

sLITT is safe and provides effective local control for epidural compression from metastases, particularly in the thoracic spine. The authors propose considering sLITT as an alternative to open surgery in selected patients with spinal metastases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter of South Switzerland, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland

    Andrea Cardia & Ismail Zaed

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy

    Delia Cannizzaro

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Delia Cannizzaro

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Ovest Milanese - Legnano Hospital, Milan, Italy

    Roberto Stefini

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France

    Salvatore Chibbaro

  6. Department of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK

    Mario Ganau

  7. Department of Neurosurgery, Legnano Hospital, Legnano, Italy

    Ismail Zaed

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  1. Andrea Cardia
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Correspondence to Ismail Zaed.

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Cardia, A., Cannizzaro, D., Stefini, R. et al. The efficacy of laser interstitial thermal therapy in the management of spinal metastases: a systematic review of the literature. Neurol Sci 44, 519–528 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-06432-x

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