Laser ablation for corpus callosotomy: Systematic review and pooled analysis

The Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) technique has been used recently for corpus callosotomy in patients with epilepsy, especially atonic seizures (drop attacks) and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). However, there is little data on safety and outcomes. Therefore, the authors systematically studied and conducted a pooled analysis with special focus on feasibility, outcomes and complications.

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 10 retrospective studies were identified, comprising 58 cases of MRI-guided LITT treatment.

MRI-guided LITT was successfully performed in 57 cases while one case was aborted due to hemorrhage. The average duration of clinical follow-up following LITT callosotomy was 20 months. In the 57 LITT callosotomies, complete seizure freedom and excellent seizure control (Engel I and II) were achieved in 21.1% and 49.1% of patients, respectively. For atonic seizures, the rate of complete freedom and excellent control was 52.5% and 72.5%, respectively. The median length of stay at hospital was 2 days. No death was encountered. Common complications included: fiber-related hemorrhage (8.6%), inaccurate placement (6.9%) followed with transient hemiparesis/hemineglect and supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome 5.2% each. The rate of disconnection syndrome was 3.4%.

MRI-guided LITT for corpus callosotomy is feasible and safe, with low complication rates, short hospitalization and has comparable rates of seizure control to that of classic surgical callosotomy. The majority of patients with atonic seizures achieve complete seizure freedom and excellent control (Engel I and II). The risk for developing disconnection syndrome is low.