LAUSR

There is a paucity of studies assessing the use of magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in the elderly population. Geriatric patients (≥65 years) treated with LITT for intracranial tumors at a single institution from January 2011 to November 2019 were retrospectively identified. We grouped patients into two cohorts: 65-74 years (group 1) and 75 years or older (group 2). Baseline characteristics, operative parameters, postoperative course, and morbidity were recorded. There were 55 patients who underwent 64 distinct LITT procedures. The majority of tumors (62.5%) treated were recurrent brain metastasis/radiation necrosis. The median hospital length of stay was 1 day, with no significant difference between age groups. Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients who presented with a neurological symptom and in those who experienced a postoperative complication. The majority of patients (68.3%) were discharged to their preoperative accommodation. Rate of discharge to home was not significantly different between age groups. Those discharged to rehabilitation facilities were more likely to have presented with a neurological symptom. Nine patients (14.1%) were found to have acute neurological complications, with nearly all patients showing complete or partial recovery at follow-up. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1.6% (n = 1). The complication and 30-day postoperative mortality rate were not significantly different between age groups. LITT can be considered as a minimally invasive and safe neurosurgical procedure for treatment of intracranial tumors in geriatric patients. Careful preoperative preparation and postoperative care is essential as LITT is not without risk. Appropriate patient selection for cranial surgery is essential as neurosurgeons treat an increasing number of elderly patients, but advanced age alone should not exclude patients from LITT.