Course description
1,5-day advanced program on Stereotactic Laser ablation. This course develops knowledge and skills in MRI guided laser ablation for neuro-oncology. The curriculum covers stereotactic planning, catheter implantation workflows, laser ablation under live MRI surveillance, clinical workflow optimization, and review of the latest evidence supporting LITT as a treatment option for brain tumours.
Target audience
Neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists and multidisciplinary team members with at least 2 years of experience with stereotactic/radio surgery and neuro oncology in general. It is desired that candidates also have:
- Interest to use LITT as an advanced treatment option for treating brain tumors
- Desire to learn practical aspects around catheter implantation and laser ablation under live MRI surveillance, and general workflow around the ablation procedure
- Latest evidence available about LITT in neuro oncology
Learning objectives
- Awareness of the current clinical evidence supporting LITT for primary and secondary brain tumours.
- Apply patient‑selection criteria, stereotactic planning principles and multi-disciplinary reasoning to determine appropriate LITT candidates.
- Describe the key steps of the MRI‑guided laser ablation workflow, including catheter implantation and intraoperative MRI monitoring.
- Demonstrate core skills in trajectory planning and equipment setup through hands‑on simulation.
- Identify technical challenges that may arise during LITT procedures and outline appropriate troubleshooting strategies.
- Explain essential considerations for establishing and optimizing a laser ablation service in clinical practice
