Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy LITT

Recently there has been great interest in the further developments of interstitial procedures such as laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT), RF ablation, and microwave ablation and cryotherapy. 

Palliative treatment options for recurrent head and neck cancer are limited by the proximity of vital vascular and neural structures and the aggressive nature of most of these tumors. Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is a recently developed minimally invasive treatment modality. It is a minimally invasive technique for local tumor destruction within solid organs. 

Fig. 7.1.1. a The drawing shows the set-up for laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT). b Internally cooled power laser application system with laser applicator... 

Fig. 2.3.3. The complete interstitial laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) set-up with the laser systems outside in the control room...

Within the last decade thermal ablations have been developed and clinically improved. Different technologies have been evaluated like magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (MR-guided LITT), radiofrequency ablation (RF), microwave and cryotherapy. For this reason, there has been great interest in further developments of interstitial procedures such as laser coagulation or radiofrequency ablation over the last few years. 

---