MR-guided Laser-induced Thermotherapy (MR-LITT) of Lung Metastases. Technique, Indications and Results

Summary Objectives: Evaluation of technical aspects, side-effects, complications and results of percutaneous MR-guided LITT in lung metastases. Material and methods: The technique of laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) is presented. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to control the insertion of the catheter in the patients. For LITT a specially cooled application system was developed. Percutaneous LITT was performed in 34 metastases of 26 patients. Inclusion criteria were metastases ≤3 cm in diameter in unresectable patients. Results: In our patient group, all patients tolerated the LITT procedure well under mild sedation. The pneumothorax rate was 8% (3/34 procedures). Local tumor control rate in the 6-month period was 91%. 95% of the patients treated are still alive. Conclusion: Pulmonary LITT allows a safe thermal ablation of lung metastases ≤3 cm in diameter with an acceptable tumor control rate.