title: Laser Ablation of Newly Diagnosed Malignant Gliomas: a Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance-guided laser-interstitial thermotherapy (MR-LITT) is a minimally invasive technique that shows promise in neuro-oncology because of its superiority in delivering precise minimally invasive thermal energy with minimal collateral damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this analysis, we investigate initial data on the use of MR-LITT in the treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the use of the PubMed, OVID, and Google-scholar database systems, a comprehensive search of the English literature was performed. Eighty-five articles were identified plus 1 that is pending publication. Four articles were accounted for in this review, including 25 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas who underwent MR-LITT treatment. We evaluated safety, progression-free survival, and overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 53.8 years underwent LITT treatments. On average, 82.9% of the pretreatment lesion volume was ablated. The average tumor volume treated was 16.5 cm. The mean follow-up time was 7.6 months. Median overall survival was found to be 14.2 months (range 0.1-23 months). The median progression-free survival was 5.1 months (range 2.4-23 months); however, these data are limited by the relatively short follow-up of the patients reviewed and small sample size of only 25 patients. There was 1 (3.4%) major perioperative complication, which was a central nervous system infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR-LITT is a promising technology for the treatment of small, yet difficult-to-treat newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas. This study demonstrates that MR-LITT is safe, and future randomized studies are needed to evaluate its role as a treatment adjunct for newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  BBB, blood-brain barrierHGG, high-grade gliomaLITT, laser-interstitial thermal therapyWHO, World Health Organization.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Neurological Surgery, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; ‡The Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Neurological and Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ivan
authors.forename: Alireza M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Nicoleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Deugd
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Gene H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Ricardo J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Komotar
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005910:Glioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional; D016019:Survival Analysis