Indication-based analysis of laser interstitial thermal therapy: a propensity score-matched comparison of outcomes for brain tumor versus epilepsy indications

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive procedure used to ablate abnormal tissue in a targeted fashion. It is most commonly used to treat epileptic foci, brain tumors, and radiation necrosis. This study aimed to compare immediate postoperative outcomes between these indications.

This study analyzed clinical data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2019 and identified 2234 patients who underwent LITT procedures using ICD-10 codes. The authors analyzed patient demographics, complications, discharge disposition, readmission rates, and mortality. Following propensity score matching, 317 patients treated for epilepsy and 323 patients treated for brain tumors were compared.

The mean ages were similar (epilepsy: 45.7 vs tumor: 49.0 years, p = 0.55), as were the proportions of female patients (epilepsy: 45.4% vs tumor: 52.9%, p = 0.83), all-payer costs (p = 0.81), income quartiles (p = 0.58), insurance types (p = 0.70), frailty rates (p = 0.85), and comorbid disease burdens as assessed by ECI score (p = 0.73). No significant differences were observed in rates of hemorrhage (p = 0.1), pulmonary embolism (p = 0.32), or infection (p = 0.16). However, the tumor cohort had higher rates of deep vein thrombosis (3.4% vs < 3.15%, p = 0.045), nonroutine discharge (26.6% vs 16.4%, p = 0.04), and 1-year hospital readmission (32.5% vs 18.6%, p = 0.006). One-year mortality rates were similar (tumor: 3.4% vs epilepsy: < 3.15%, p = 0.08).

While postoperative complications and 1-year mortality rates were similar among patients undergoing LITT for epilepsy and brain tumors, the tumor cohort experienced higher rates of deep vein thrombosis, nonroutine discharge, and 1-year hospital readmission.