Single-center longitudinal experience with MRgLITT in pediatric neurosurgery: technical evolution, expanding...

The objective of this study is to evaluate the 6-year clinical and technological evolution of MR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) in a pediatric and young adult cohort. We specifically analyze the paradigm shift from "rescue therapy" to a "first-line" intervention for complex, deep-seated lesions, enabled by the transition from manual stereotaxis to robotic and intraoperative MRI-guided workflows. The primary objective was to evaluate how technological evolution influenced safety in high-risk anatomical targets.

We retrospectively analyzed 63 procedures performed on 57 patients (mean age 12.1 years, range 1.8-28.6). The series was stratified into three technological phases: Phase I (manual frameless), Phase II (robotic-assisted), and Phase III (intraoperative 3T MRI guidance system). The cohort highlights a progressive inclusion of high-risk targets, with a focus on anatomical distribution and pathological subtypes.

The surgical indications included brain tumors (n = 42; 66.7%), epileptogenic lesions and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) (n = 12; 19%), and cavernous malformations (n = 9; 14.3%). High-risk targets constituted more than half of the series: thalamic (n = 19, 30.2%) and posterior fossa (n = 13, 20.6%) lesions. Six patients (10.5%) underwent multiple procedures, showcasing LITT's versatility as a staged strategy for complex tumors or recurrences. Despite the significant shift toward high-risk targets, zero symptomatic trajectory-related complications or hemorrhages were observed (0%), confirming the safety of robotic and intra-MRI guidance. The overall local control rate for tumors was 71.4%. Engel Class I seizure outcome was achieved in 58.3% of epilepsy patients and in 70% of the combined epilepsy/cavernoma cohort. Permanent thermal-related morbidity was 3.2% (2/63): one hearing loss and one visual field deficit. Transient deficits (7.9%) were resolved within 3 months. No significant difference in safety was found between lobar and deep-seated/infratentorial targets (p > 0.05).

The integration of robotic precision and 3T real-time monitoring has lowered procedural risks, allowing MRgLITT to progressively emerge as a first-line option in selected complex cases (thalamic and infratentorial) previously considered high-risk or inaccessible. The low permanent morbidity rate (3.2%) confirms the safety of this technological evolution.