2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting-Laser Ablation for Spinal Tumors

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Tatsui discusses the use of laser ablation for spinal tumors. The speaker mentions that surgery combined with radiation provides better results than radiation alone for patients with spinal metastasis. They explain that patients with severe spinal cord compression and instability would benefit most from surgery. However, not all patients are fit for surgery due to various factors. The speaker introduces the concept of laser ablation, which involves using a fiber optic catheter to emit laser energy and destroy the tumor in the epidural space. They demonstrate the procedure using an example patient with cholangiocarcinoma. The video also discusses the use of intraoperative MRI for localization and monitoring during the treatment. The speaker presents data from their series of 105 patients treated with laser ablation, showing a local control rate of 84%. They highlight the advantages of laser ablation over traditional surgery, including less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster initiation of radiation and systemic treatment. The speaker concludes by suggesting the need for a prospective study comparing laser ablation and surgery, as well as addressing the question of whether laser ablation is necessary in the era of improved stereotactic radiation.

Asset Caption

Claudio Tatsui, MD, IFAANS

Keywords

laser ablation

spinal tumors

surgery combined with radiation

cholangiocarcinoma

intraoperative MRI