Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41060472›Full record

SynthesisActa neurochirurgica2025

Imaging-based techniques for ablation zone definition and volumetry after laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for intracranial lesions: a systematic review.

Céline L G Neutel, Thomas M Putinela, Maroeska M Rovers, Pierre A Robe, Mark Ter Laan, Christiaan G Overduin

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Acta neurochirurgica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Céline L G NeutelDepartment of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. celine.neutel@radboudumc.nl.
Thomas M PutinelaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Maroeska M RoversDepartment of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Pierre A RobeDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Mark Ter LaanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Christiaan G OverduinDepartment of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Funding

Zorginstituut Nederland 2021002376
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique for treating intracranial pathologies. Although the extent of ablation appears prognostically relevant, standardized imaging methods for post-LITT ablation zone measurements are lacking. This systematic review evaluates imaging-based approaches used to measure the ablation zone in patients undergoing LITT. As effect assessment is an integral part of the technique, this study aims to support the development of standardized imaging-based outcome metrics.

methodsA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase (March 15, 2024; updated April 2, 2025). Studies were included if they reported imaging-based methods for determining ablation extent or volume after LITT; studies without methodological detail, non-original research, or non-human studies were excluded. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were conducted independently by multiple reviewers.

resultsA total of 77 studies (2,312 patients) were included. Most studies (82%) were retrospective case series, with 74 (96%) categorized as having moderate risk of bias. All studies utilized MRI to assess post-LITT ablation volume. Conventional MRI sequences were used in 65 studies (84%), among which 54 (83%) used contrast-enhanced imaging. Forty-six studies (60%) reported a single time-point volume assessment. Of the 60 studies using contrast-enhanced imaging, 50% specified inclusion or exclusion of the enhancing rim.

conclusionOur results show considerable variation and underreporting regarding rim inclusion, measurement timing, and volume definitions. Standardized imaging protocols, covering timing, modalities, and rim handling, are essential to improve LITT research and outcomes. We propose four recommendations to guide future reporting of imaging methods. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Brain NeoplasmsLaser TherapyMagnetic Resonance ImagingHumansAblation volumeExtent of ablationImagingLaser ablationLaser interstitial thermal therapyLITT

Identifiers

PMID41060472
PMCPMC12507988

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.