Intraoperative 3T MRI as navigator for laser interstitial thermal therapy in paediatric epilepsy and tumour surgery

Motivation: MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) uses laser fibres to ablate lesions under MR-thermometry monitoring. Distance between OR and MRI complicates this procedure, but previous generations of intraoperative MRIs were limited to fields up to 1.5T. Goal(s): We investigated a dual-room setup for intraoperative 3T MRI as navigation/monitoring for LITT. Approach: In eleven paediatric patients, we demonstrated this setup as navigation/monitoring for LITT. Results: We quantified achievable time and precision parameters, e.g., a mean total surgery time of 4.9 hours. Impact: Minimised surgery time and complications as well as improved treatment monitoring for laser interstitial thermal therapy make dual-room intraoperative 3T MRIs beneficial for paediatric patients.