What are the risks of laser brain surgery?
Are there any safety concerns with thermal ablation therapy? Reported complications are rare. They may include narrowing of a person's vision, bleeding in the brain, or nerve damage. All of these are also rarely seen with open surgery.
How much is laser interstitial thermal therapy?
CURRENT TREATMENTS is $7508 and the overall improved survival with brain LITT vs. CURRENT TREATMENTS is 3.07 months. More specifically, as it relates to cost effectiveness, for every month in survival gained, it would cost an additional $2445 in using brain LITT versus CURRENT TREATMENTS.
How does laser interstitial thermal therapy work?
LITT is a minimally invasive surgical option that in selected patients can offer a cure for seizures that fail to respond to medical therapy. It involves making a tiny skin incision and passing a laser fiber directly into the center of the lesion causing the epilepsy.
Is LITT FDA approved?
The US FDA approved the use of MRI guided LITT system for ablation in neurosurgery in 2007. The FDA approval of LITT noted that this technology was well-established in the treatment of soft tissue lesions in other parts of the body.
How long is LITT procedure?
LITT surgery usually takes about three to four hours.
What is the LITT procedure?
Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT) is a minimally invasive surgery for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, which involves seizures that don't respond to medication. LiTT may be appropriate for some people with focal seizures, which are seizures coming from one region of the brain.
What is laser ablation surgery?
Laser ablation (LAY-zer ab-LAY-shun) surgery is a treatment to remove tumors and other lesions. It uses light to heat and destroy unwanted cells. Neurosurgeons use an advanced surgical tool called ROSA Brain to place a thin laser probe in the brain and do the surgery.
What is the CPT code for laser interstitial thermal therapy?
POLICY Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) (64999) does not warrant separate reimbursement.
What type of laser is Visualase?
Overview. Visualase™ is an MRI-guided laser ablation system used to perform Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive surgical alternative to open craniotomy. LITT may benefit patients with brain tumors, radiation necrosis, or medically refractory focal epilepsy.