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Conditions Treated
Our Approach to Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgery to treat unhealthy brain tissue with a small laser. It’s an effective treatment for patients with some types of brain tumors and epilepsy.
What We Offer You With Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
- Multispecialty team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and advanced practice clinicians to advise you on the best treatment approach
- Groundbreaking research to advance new therapies and bring you the latest leading-edge diagnostic tools and treatment options
- Nationally and internationally recognized experts with highly specialized training and experience, leading the way in advancing the use of laser interstitial thermal therapy for our patients
- Expert second opinions on treatment options for brain tumors and epilepsy, including laser interstitial thermal therapy
- Easy access to care with a large network of locations throughout the Bay Area and virtual follow-up appointments
What Is Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy?
Conditions Treated With Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
LITT may be appropriate for some patients with:
- Brain tumors such as brain metastases, gliomas, and cavernomas, particularly those deep within the brain tissue or that have returned after treatment
- Epilepsy, which causes periods of irregular electrical activity (seizures), especially types of epilepsy that haven’t improved with medication (intractable epilepsy) or originate from one specific part of the brain
- Radiation necrosis, a type of inflammation that can damage brain tissue months or even years after radiation therapy
There are several ways our doctors can treat these conditions. In addition to LITT, treatment options may include:
- Watchful waiting, monitoring your condition’s progression without active treatments
- Diet changes, such as eating a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (ketogenic diet) to control seizures
- Medications, for managing symptoms or reducing seizure activity
- Radiation therapy, using specific, effective doses of radiation to shrink or destroy tumor tissue
- Radiosurgery, delivering the maximum safe dose of radiation from multiple angles to directly target irregular brain tissue
- Neuromodulation, controlling seizures by implanting a device that sends mild electrical pulses to specific parts of your brain
- Surgery, removing tumor tissue or safely removing areas of brain tissue where seizure activity starts
What to Expect During Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
LITT involves one minimally invasive procedure to heat and destroy unhealthy brain tissue. Most people experience little to no pain and can return to their usual activities quickly.
Before
During
After
Before the Procedure
Before LITT, you’ll undergo testing to determine that you’re a good candidate for the treatment. Neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists will review these tests, which may include:
- CT scan, which uses special computers and X-rays to get a clear image of your brain
- Electroencephalogram (EEG), which records your brain’s activity through small electrodes attached to your scalp
- High-density EEG, which identifies where seizures may originate in your brain
- MRI, which uses magnets and radio waves to get a brain image
- Neuropsychological exams, which assess your thinking (cognitive) skills and behaviors to help identify dysfunctional areas of your brain
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which uses a small injection called a radiotracer to get more information about your brain function
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan, which uses a radiotracer to evaluate your brain’s blood flow during a seizure
- Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), which is a diagnostic surgical procedure to isolate the seizure focus from inside the brain tissue
Once we’ve determined LITT is right for you, you’ll have an MRI that helps plan surgery. During the MRI, we map out exactly which areas of brain tissue to target during treatment.
During the Procedure
We perform LITT in an operating room with a special MRI machine called an intraoperative MRI. On the day of your treatment, you receive general anesthesia to remain asleep during the procedure. During LITT, your neurosurgeon:
- Makes a small incision in your scalp about the size of a papercut
- Drills a hole in your skull no larger than 5 millimeters, or about the width of a pencil
- Guides a small laser fiber through the incision and to the irregular tissue
- Directs heat to the unhealthy brain tissue
- Uses real-time MRI guidance to monitor the laser location and temperature of your brain tissue
- Closes the incision
LITT typically lasts around three to four hours. Your exact surgery time depends on several factors, including the size and shape of the tissue target and whether your surgeon needs to target more than one area.
After the Procedure
Your care team moves you to a recovery room immediately after LITT. You usually stay in the hospital for one night and return home the next day.
Most people have minimal pain or discomfort. You can typically manage any pain with over-the-counter medicines. You can return to your usual activities within a day or two, but you will need to refrain from strenuous activities for about two weeks.
Before the Procedure
Before LITT, you’ll undergo testing to determine that you’re a good candidate for the treatment. Neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists will review these tests, which may include:
- CT scan, which uses special computers and X-rays to get a clear image of your brain
- Electroencephalogram (EEG), which records your brain’s activity through small electrodes attached to your scalp
- High-density EEG, which identifies where seizures may originate in your brain
- MRI, which uses magnets and radio waves to get a brain image
- Neuropsychological exams, which assess your thinking (cognitive) skills and behaviors to help identify dysfunctional areas of your brain
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which uses a small injection called a radiotracer to get more information about your brain function
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan, which uses a radiotracer to evaluate your brain’s blood flow during a seizure
- Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), which is a diagnostic surgical procedure to isolate the seizure focus from inside the brain tissue
Once we’ve determined LITT is right for you, you’ll have an MRI that helps plan surgery. During the MRI, we map out exactly which areas of brain tissue to target during treatment.
close Before
During the Procedure
We perform LITT in an operating room with a special MRI machine called an intraoperative MRI. On the day of your treatment, you receive general anesthesia to remain asleep during the procedure. During LITT, your neurosurgeon:
- Makes a small incision in your scalp about the size of a papercut
- Drills a hole in your skull no larger than 5 millimeters, or about the width of a pencil
- Guides a small laser fiber through the incision and to the irregular tissue
- Directs heat to the unhealthy brain tissue
- Uses real-time MRI guidance to monitor the laser location and temperature of your brain tissue
- Closes the incision
LITT typically lasts around three to four hours. Your exact surgery time depends on several factors, including the size and shape of the tissue target and whether your surgeon needs to target more than one area.
close During
After the Procedure
Your care team moves you to a recovery room immediately after LITT. You usually stay in the hospital for one night and return home the next day.
Most people have minimal pain or discomfort. You can typically manage any pain with over-the-counter medicines. You can return to your usual activities within a day or two, but you will need to refrain from strenuous activities for about two weeks.
close After
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Palo Alto, CA 94304
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