scholarly journals Early outcomes of stereoelectroencephalography followed by MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy: a paradigm for minimally invasive epilepsy surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Cobourn ◽  
Islam Fayed ◽  
Robert F. Keating ◽  
Chima O. Oluigbo

OBJECTIVEStereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) and MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) have both emerged as minimally invasive alternatives to open surgery for the localization and treatment of medically refractory lesional epilepsy. Although some data are available about the use of these procedures individually, reports are almost nonexistent on their use in conjunction. The authors’ aim was to report early outcomes regarding efficacy and safety of sEEG followed by MRgLITT for localization and ablation of seizure foci in the pediatric population with medically refractory lesional epilepsy.METHODSA single-center retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent sEEG followed by MRgLITT procedures was performed. Demographic, intraoperative, and outcome data were compiled and analyzed.RESULTSFour pediatric patients with 9 total lesions underwent sEEG followed by MRgLITT procedures between January and September 2017. The mean age at surgery was 10.75 (range 2–21) years. Two patients had tuberous sclerosis and 2 had focal cortical dysplasia. Methods of stereotaxy consisted of BrainLab VarioGuide and ROSA robotic guidance, with successful localization of seizure foci in all cases. The sEEG procedure length averaged 153 (range 67–235) minutes, with a mean of 6 (range 4–8) electrodes and 56 (range 18–84) contacts per patient. The MRgLITT procedure length averaged 223 (range 179–252) minutes. The mean duration of monitoring was 6 (range 4–8) days, and the mean total hospital stay was 8 (range 5–11) days. Over a mean follow-up duration of 9.3 (range 5.1–16) months, 3 patients were seizure free (Engel class I, 75%), and 1 patient saw significant improvement in seizure frequency (Engel class II, 25%). There were no complications.CONCLUSIONSThese early data demonstrate that sEEG followed by MRgLITT can be used safely and effectively to localize and ablate epileptogenic foci in a minimally invasive paradigm for treatment of medically refractory lesional epilepsy in pediatric populations. Continued collection of data with extended follow-up is needed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulma Tovar-Spinoza ◽  
Robert Ziechmann ◽  
Stephanie Zyck

OBJECTIVEMagnetic resonance–guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment for the surgical treatment of epilepsy. In this paper, the authors report on clinical outcomes for a series of pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and medication-refractory epileptogenic cortical tubers.METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed at SUNY Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York. The authors included all cases involving pediatric patients (< 18 years) who underwent MRgLITT for ablation of epileptogenic cortical tubers between February 2013 and November 2015.RESULTSSeven patients with cortical tubers were treated (4 female and 3 male). The patients’ average age was 6.6 years (range 2–17 years). Two patients had a single procedure, and 5 patients had staged procedures. The mean time between procedures in the staged cases was 6 months. All of the patients had a meaningful reduction in seizure frequency as reported by Engel and ILAE seizure outcome classifications, and most (71.4%) of the patients experienced a reduction in AED burden. Three of the 4 patients who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms had some improvement in these domains after laser ablation. No perioperative complications were noted. The mean duration of follow-up was 19.3 months (range 4–49 months).CONCLUSIONSLaser ablation represents a minimally invasive alternative to resective epilepsy surgery and is an effective treatment for refractory epilepsy due to cortical tubers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110206
Author(s):  
Iliya Simantov ◽  
Lior Or ◽  
Inbal Gazit ◽  
Biana Dubinsky-Pertzov ◽  
David Zadok ◽  
...  

Background: Retrospective cohort study evaluating long term keratoconus progression amongst cross-linking (CXL) treated pediatric patients in the treated and the fellow untreated eyes. Methods: Data on 60 eyes of 30 patients, 18 years old or younger, who underwent CXL in at least one eye was collected and analyzed. Follow-up measurements taken from the treated and untreated eye up to 7 years after CXL treatment, were compared to baseline measurements. Parameters included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best-corrected spectacle visual acuity (BCSVA), manifest refraction, pachymetry, corneal tomography, and topography. Results: Mean age of patients was 16 ± 2.1 years. For the treated eyes, during follow-up period mean UCDVA had improved (from 0.78 ± 0.22 at baseline to 0.58 ± 0.26 logMAR at 7 years; p = 0.13), as well as mean BCSVA (from 0.23 ± 0.107 at baseline to 0.172 ± 0.05 logMAR at 7 years; p = 0.37). The mean average keratometry showed a significant flattening (from 49.95 ± 4.04 to 47.94 ± 3.3 diopters (D); p < 0.001), However there was no change in the mean maximal keratometry. The mean minimal corneal thickness (MCT) showed a significant mild reduction of 26 µm ( p = 0.006). Although statistically insignificant, the mean manifest cylinder was also reduced to 2D ( p = 0.15). During the follow-up period, eight untreated eyes (26.6%) deteriorated and underwent CXL, while only one treated eye (3.33%) required an additional CXL. Conclusion: CXL is a safe and efficient procedure in halting keratoconus progression in the pediatric population, the fellow eye needs to be carefully monitored but only a 25% of the patients will require CXL in that eye during a period of 7 years.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Y. A. Dadey ◽  
Ashwin A. Kamath ◽  
Eric C. Leuthardt ◽  
Matthew D. Smyth

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a rare tumor occurring almost exclusively in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Although open resection remains the standard therapy, complication rates remain high. To minimize morbidity, less invasive approaches, such as endoscope-assisted resection, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy with mTOR pathway inhibitors, are also used to treat these lesions. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a relatively new modality that is increasingly used to treat a variety of intracranial lesions. In this report, the authors describe two pediatric cases of SEGA that were treated with LITT. In both patients the lesion responded well to this treatment modality, with tumor shrinkage observed on follow-up MRI. These cases highlight the potential of LITT to serve as a viable minimally invasive therapeutic approach to the management of SEGAs in the pediatric population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio D. Montejo ◽  
Joaquin Q. Camara-Quintana ◽  
Daniel Duran ◽  
Jeannine M. Rockefeller ◽  
Sierra B. Conine ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVELumbar disc herniation (LDH) in the pediatric population is rare and exhibits unique characteristics compared with adult LDH. There are limited data regarding the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using tubular retractors in pediatric patients with LDH. Here, the outcomes of MIS tubular microdiscectomy for the treatment of pediatric LDH are evaluated.METHODSTwelve consecutive pediatric patients with LDH were treated with MIS tubular microdiscectomy at the authors’ institution between July 2011 and October 2015. Data were gathered from retrospective chart review and from mail or electronic questionnaires. The Macnab criteria and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used for outcome measurements.RESULTSThe mean age at surgery was 17 ± 1.6 years (range 13–19 years). Seven patients were female (58%). Prior to surgical intervention, 100% of patients underwent conservative treatment, and 50% had epidural steroid injections. Preoperative low-back and leg pain, positive straight leg raise, and myotomal leg weakness were noted in 100%, 83%, and 67% of patients, respectively. The median duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 9 months (range 1–36 months). The LDH level was L5–S1 in 75% of patients and L4–5 in 25%. The mean ± SD operative time was 90 ± 21 minutes, the estimated blood loss was ≤ 25 ml in 92% of patients (maximum 50 ml), and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted at 30 days. The median hospital length of stay was 1 day (range 0–3 days). The median follow-up duration was 2.2 years (range 0–5.8 years). One patient experienced reherniation at 18 months after the initial operation and required a second same-level MIS tubular microdiscectomy to achieve resolution of symptoms. Of the 11 patients seen for follow-up, 10 patients (91%) reported excellent or good satisfaction according to the Macnab criteria at the last follow-up. Only 1 patient reported a fair level of satisfaction by using the same criteria. Seven patients completed an ODI evaluation at the last follow-up. For these 7 patients, the mean ODI low-back pain score was 19.7% (SEM 2.8%).CONCLUSIONSTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the longest outcomes study and the largest series of pediatric patients with LDH who were treated with MIS microdiscectomy using tubular retractors. These data suggest that MIS tubular microdiscectomy is safe and efficacious for pediatric LDH. Larger prospective cohort studies with longer follow-up are needed to better evaluate the long-term efficacy of MIS tubular microdiscectomy versus other open and MIS techniques for the treatment of pediatric LDH.


Author(s):  
James P. Caruso ◽  
M. Burhan Janjua ◽  
Alison Dolce ◽  
Angela V. Price

OBJECTIVECorpus callosotomy remains an established surgical treatment for certain types of medically refractory epilepsy in pediatric patients. While the traditional surgical approach is often well tolerated, the advent of MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) provides a new opportunity to ablate the callosal body in a minimally invasive fashion and minimize the risks associated with an open interhemispheric approach. However, the literature is sparse regarding the comparative efficacy and safety profiles of open corpus callosotomy (OCC) and LITT callosotomy. To this end, the authors present a novel retrospective analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of these methods.METHODSPatients who underwent OCC and LITT callosotomy during the period from 2005 to 2018 were included in a single-center retrospective analysis. Patient demographic and procedural variables were collected, including length of stay, procedural blood loss, corticosteroid requirements, postsurgical complications, and postoperative disposition. Pre- and postoperative seizure frequency (according to seizure type) were recorded.RESULTSIn total, 19 patients, who underwent 24 interventions (16 OCC and 8 LITT), were included in the analysis. The mean follow-up durations for the OCC and LITT cohorts were 83.5 months and 12.3 months, respectively. Both groups experienced reduced frequencies of seizure and drop attack frequency postoperatively. Additionally, LITT callosotomy was associated with a significant decrease in estimated blood loss and decreased length of pediatric ICU stay, with a trend of shorter length of hospitalization.CONCLUSIONSLonger-term follow-up and a larger population are required to further delineate the comparative efficacies of LITT callosotomy and OCC for the treatment of pediatric medically refractory epilepsy. However, the authors’ data demonstrate that LITT shows promise as a safe and effective alternative to OCC.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Guo ◽  
Chaofeng Fan ◽  
Ruiqi Chen ◽  
Zhiyuan Yu ◽  
Rui Tian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Primary intraventricular hemorrhage is a rare type of stroke and little is known its causes, characteristics and outcomes in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients aged one month to 21 years during seven consecutive years with primary intraventricular hemorrhage. Primary intraventricular hemorrhage was defined as bleeding confined to the ventricular system without parenchymal or subarachnoid hemorrhage involved. Results: Of the included eighteen patients, 55.6% were female, and the mean age was 13.8 ± 6.0 years. The most common symptoms on presentation were headache (77.8%) and vomiting (33.3%). Fifteen patients (83.3%) were diagnosed with known etiologies, including arteriovenous malformations (66.7%), Moyamoya disease (11.1%), and aneurysms (5.6%). Idiopathic PIVH was diagnosed in only 3 patients (16.7%). Fifteen patients (83.3%) underwent surgical intervention, and 3 patients (16.7%) received conservative treatment. Four patients (28.6%) had an unfavorable outcome at discharge and unfavorable was observed in 3 patients (16.7%) at the 3-month follow-up. Higher Graeb score was associated with an unfavorable outcome both in short-time and long-time follow-up. Conclusions: Most primary intraventricular hemorrhage patients were diagnosed with arteriovenous malformations in the pediatric population. Specific surgical treatment of underlying etiologies should be required to increase clinical improvement. The children with higher Graeb score at admission tended to have poor early and late outcome. Keywords: Primary intraventricular hemorrhage; pediatric; surgery; vascular disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi244-vi245
Author(s):  
Rocco Dabecco ◽  
Alexander Yu ◽  
Tulika Ranjan ◽  
Linda Xu ◽  
Khaled Aziz

Abstract INTRODUCTION Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive treatment method that provides surgeons with cytoreductive techniques to treat neurosurgical conditions such as primary brain neoplasms, brain metastases, radiation necrosis, and epileptogenic lesions, many of which are located in operative corridors that would be difficult to address via open surgical or are amenable via minimally invasive approaches. Although the use of lasers is not a new concept in neurosurgery, advances in technology have enabled surgeons to perform laser treatment with the aid of real-time MRI thermography as a guide. In this report, we present our institutional series and outcomes of patients treated with LITT for 8 glial neoplasms 12 brain metastases. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 20 patients (7 male, 13 female; age range, 28–77 years) who underwent LITT at one or more targets from 2015–2019. RESULTS In our series, all patients included had prior craniotomy for either primary glioma or metastatic disease. Mean extent of ablation (EOA) was 98% on post-op MRI. Mean progression free survival varied depending on the intracranial pathology, with the glioma cohort (5 months (SDD: 3.51)) demonstrating worse outcomes than metastatic disease (8.2 months (SDD: 4.83)). Only 1 patient experienced immediate post-operative morbidity, 1 patient experienced post-operative mortality secondary to hemorrhage. Mean follow-up was 9.7 months (SDD: 5.35), with one patient lost to follow up immediately post-procedure and excluded from the study. Average hospitalization was 2.4 days (SDD: 1.0). Mean overall survival, post-diagnosis of intracranial lesion, is more favorable for metastatic lesions (48 months (SDD: 27.14)), as compared to primary glial neoplasms (31 months SDD: 11.63)). CONCLUSION Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a safe, minimally invasive treatment method that provides surgeons with cytoreductive techniques to treat neurosurgical conditions. In properly selected patients, this modality offers improved survival outcomes in conjunction with other salvage therapies.


2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Jimenez ◽  
Constance M. Barone

Object The authors present the results of treating infants with multiple-suture nonsyndromic craniosynostosis in whom the authors used minimally invasive endoscopy-assisted techniques and postoperative cranial molding over an 11-year period. Methods A total of 21 patients who presented with multiple-suture (nonsyndromic) craniosynostosis were treated using minimally invasive endoscopy-assisted craniectomies. Surgery was followed by treatment with custommade cranial orthoses for up to 12 months. A total of 48 sutures were treated. The most common was the coronal suture (38 cases) and this was followed by the sagittal (11 cases), metopic (6 cases), and lambdoid (3 cases) sutures. There were 13 male and 8 female pediatric patients. Their ages ranged between 3 weeks and 9 months (mean 3.2 months, median 2.5 months). The sagittal suture was treated with a wide vertex craniotomy via 2 incisions located behind the anterior fontanel and in front of the lambda. The metopic suture underwent a suturectomy as did the coronal and lambdoid sutures. Results The mean follow-up duration was 61 months (range 3–135 months). There were no deaths. In patients with bicoronal synostosis, brachycephaly was corrected. Patients presenting with vertical dystopia or nasal deviation had these deformities corrected as well. The mean blood loss was 42 ml (range 10–120 ml). The mean hospital length of stay was 1 day. The intraoperative transfusion rate was 0%. The results indicate that nonsyndromic multiple-suture synostosis can be safely and effectively treated using endoscopic techniques. Conclusions Early treatment of complex multiple-suture synostosis with endoscopic techniques provides an excellent surgical alternative. The results of the present study indicate marked correction of skull base and craniofacial deformities. Endoscopy provides a safe and effective way to treat these patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 672-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew F. Sacino ◽  
Cheng-Ying Ho ◽  
Jonathan Murnick ◽  
Tammy Tsuchida ◽  
Suresh N. Magge ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Previous meta-analysis has demonstrated that the most important factor in seizure freedom following surgery for focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is completeness of resection. However, intraoperative detection of epileptogenic dysplastic cortical tissue remains a challenge, potentially leading to a partial resection and the need for reoperation. The objective of this study was to determine the role of intraoperative MRI (iMRI) in the intraoperative detection and localization of FCD as well as its impact on surgical decision making, completeness of resection, and seizure control outcomes. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who underwent iMRI-assisted resection of FCD at the Children's National Health System between January 2014 and April 2015. Data reviewed included demographics, length of surgery, details of iMRI acquisition, postoperative seizure freedom, and complications. Postsurgical seizure outcome was assessed utilizing the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale. RESULTS Twelve consecutive pediatric patients (8 females and 4 males) underwent iMRI-guided resection of FCD lesions. The mean age at the time of surgery was 8.8 years ± 1.6 years (range 0.7 to 18.8 years), and the mean duration of follow up was 3.5 months ± 1.0 month. The mean age at seizure onset was 2.8 years ± 1.0 year (range birth to 9.0 years). Two patients had Type 1 FCD, 5 patients had Type 2A FCD, 2 patients had Type 2B FCD, and 3 patients had FCD of undetermined classification. iMRI findings impacted intraoperative surgical decision making in 5 (42%) of the 12 patients, who then underwent further exploration of the resection cavity. At the time of the last postoperative follow-up, 11 (92%) of the 12 patients were seizure free (Engel Class I). No patients underwent reoperation following iMRI-guided surgery. CONCLUSIONS iMRI-guided resection of FCD in pediatric patients precluded the need for repeat surgery. Furthermore, it resulted in the achievement of complete resection in all the patients, leading to a high rate of postoperative seizure freedom.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 639-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde J. Akinpelu ◽  
Scott L. Zuckerman ◽  
Stephen R. Gannon ◽  
Ashly Westrick ◽  
Chevis Shannon ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Isolated transverse and spinous process fractures (TPFx and SPFx) in the thoracic and/or lumbar region have been deemed clinically insignificant in the adult population. This same rule is often applied to the pediatric population; however, little evidence exists in this younger group. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and long-term data on isolated TPFx and SPFx in an exclusively pediatric population. METHODS A retrospective chart review at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University identified 82 pediatric patients with isolated TPFx and/or SPFx following a traumatic event between January 2000 and December 2013. Patient demographic information, presenting symptoms, radiographic characteristics, and follow-up data were collected. Follow-up was used to determine the outcome (presence of neurological deficits) of such injuries via complete physical examination and, when available, radiographic evidence. RESULTS In the 82 identified patients, the mean age was 15.5 ± 3.1 years (mean is expressed ± SD throughout), with 72 injuries (87.8%) resulting from a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle accident. There was a mean of 1.7 ± 1.0 fractured vertebral levels involved and a mean of 1.8 ± 1.1 fractures was identified per patient. Seventy-one patients (86.6%) needed bedside pain control, 7 (8.5%) were prescribed a brace, and 4 patients (4.9%) received a collar. Physical therapy was recommended for 12 patients (14.6%). A total of 84.1% had follow-up, and the mean length of follow-up was 19 ± 37 months. No patients had true neurological deficits at presentation or follow-up as a result of their isolated fractures, whereas 95.1% had other associated system injuries. CONCLUSIONS These data shows that there is no appreciable long-term complication associated with isolated thoracic and/or lumbar TPFx and/or SPFx in an exclusively pediatric population. Because these fractures are, however, associated with high-energy blunt trauma, they often result in associated soft-tissue or other skeletal injury. All pediatric patients in the cohort benefited from conservative management and aggressive treatment of their comorbidities.


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