Does the real-time thermal damage estimate allow for estimation of tumor control after MRI-guided laser-induced thermal therapy? Initial experience with recurrent intracranial ependymomas

OBJECT Although control of intracranial ependymomas is' highly correlated with degree of resection, it is unknown if the same is true for MRI-guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT). The authors report their experience with MRgLITT for ependymoma and examine the utility of the real-time thermal damage estimate (TDE), a recent software advance, with respect to completeness of ablation and impact on tumor control. To the authors' knowledge, this is the largest single-center experience utilizing MRgLITT for recurrent ependymomas. METHODS Five tumors in 4 patients were treated with the Visualase Thermal Therapy System. Two tumors were treated similarly on recurrence. Ablation was performed using a 980-nm diode laser with a real-time image acquisition system. Single-plane TDEs were calculated and compared with the original lesion area to compute percentage area ablated (PAA). Volumetric analysis was performed, and percentage volume ablated (PVA) was estimated and correlated with the TDE. Tumor control was correlated with the TDE and volumetric data during treatment. RESULTS Nine ablations were performed on 5 tumors, 2 of which had multiple recurrences. The average pretreatment lesion volume was 8.4 +/- 6.3 cm(3), and the average largest 2D area was 5.3 +/- 2.7 cm(2). The averaged TDE was 3.9 +/- 2.1 cm(2), average PAA was 80.1% +/- 34.3%, and average PVA was 64.4% +/- 23.5%. For subtotal ablations, average recurrence time was 4.4 +/- 5.3 months; 1 adult case remains recurrence-free at 40 months. Using TDEs, the correlation between recurrence time and FAA was r = 0.93 (p = 0.01), and for PVA was r = 0.88 (p = 0.02). Furthermore, PVA and FAA were strongly correlated (r = 0.88, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Through using the FAA, the real-time TDE correlated with the volume of ablation in this initial investigation. Furthermore, the TDE and volumetric data corresponded to the level of tumor control, with time to recurrence dependent on ablation completeness. MRgLITT may have a role in the management of recurrent ependymomas, especially with recent software advances.