b'TARGETING BRAIN TUMORSAND MOREUMSOM Neurosurgery Debuts NeuroBlate System, First in StateIts another great tool to have in oursurgical risks or because the tumorsneurosurgeon is able to visualize and neurosurgical toolbox, says Graemelocation deep within the brain iscontinuously monitor the specific area F. Woodworth, MD, FACS, Professornot amenable to surgery, he says.of the brain to be ablated in real time. of Neurosurgery at the UMSOM. Dr.It is particularly effective in treatingPost-surgery, patients undergoing this Woodworth is referring to the newmetastatic tumors in the brain thatprocedure have a short recovery time NeuroBlate System from Monterishave not responded or partiallyand are able to return home with only Medical, which was recently put intoresponded to radiation. one or two stitches in their scalp.operation through a collaborationA Laser Interstitial Thermal TherapyDr. Woodworth points out that the between the Departments of(LITT) system, NeuroBlate employsNeuroBlate System has an even Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclearminimally invasive, roboticallygreater treatment potential beyond Medicine and Neurosurgery at thecontrolled laser thermotherapy thatthat of ablating brain tumors. This University of Maryland Medical Centeruses an MRI-guided laser energytool is broadly approved for the (UMMC). Currently, the system is thesource to ablate (destroy) diseasedcontrolled application and monitoring first and only one of its type availablebrain tissues, such as a brain tumorsof thermal energy in the brain, which to patients in Maryland. or radiation necrosis. Unlike traditionalcan be applied in a safe way to treat malfunctioning regions related to epilepsy, he says.Whats more, the system directly compliments therapies already in use by UMSOM neurosurgeons, from radiation and Gamma Knife radiosurgery to focused ultrasound (FUS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). There have been decades of studies looking at the combination of thermal energy and radiation energy to treat tumors, says Dr. Woodworth. There is substantial evidence that these treatments synergize well together.In the future, neurosurgeons will likely pre-treat brain tumors with thermal energy to sensitize the tumor to the radiation effect. NeuroBlate has Dr. Graeme Woodworth reviews patient data on the new NeuroBlate system. even been used for spine surgery, by feeding the laser probe into the bone As the Director of The Brain Tumorbrain surgery, a procedure with thewhere the tumor is located to ablate Treatment & Research Center at theNeuroBlate System does not requirethe tumor, says Dr. Woodworth, University of Maryland Marlene anda large opening in the skull. Instead,all without having to perform more Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensivethe neurosurgeon creates a small holeinvasive approaches.Cancer Center, Dr. Woodworth isabout the diameter of a pencil. WhileWhile he is currently the onlyclearly excited about offering anotherthe patient is in the MRI machine,UMSOM neurosurgeon presently effective and minimally invasivethe neurosurgeon uses an MRI- employing NeuroBlate to treat treatment option that can preservecompatible robot to precisely guidepatients, Dr. Woodworth anticipatesquality of life for his patients. Thethe laser probe into the affected areaa much wider use of the new systemNeuroBlate System is a next- of the patients brain. The probe thento address intercranial and other generation technology for treatingdelivers a measured charge of lasercases. We are very excited to have patients with brain tumors who wouldlight energy that heats and destroysthis new technology to help our otherwise not be candidates forthe affected tissue. Because thepatients, he notes.surgery, either because of highNeuroBlate System is MRI guided, the CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES UPDATEFALL 2019 9'