Julie King is a graduate research assistant at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), working on her PhD in Biomedical Engineering and advised by MABE professor, Jackie Johnson.  The title of the book is Glioblastoma: State-of-the-Art Clinical Neuroimaging.  The target audience is practicing physicians, scientists, and medical graduate students. Julie is the first author of Chapter 29 “MRI-Guided Laser Induced Thermal Therapy of Glioblastoma”.

Abstract of her book chapter:

Magnetic Resonance guided Laser Induced Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive hyperthermia therapy that uses real time magnetic resonance imaging to plan preoperatively and monitor ablative therapy during the procedure. MRgLITT provides treatment options for patients with glioblastoma multi-formed, inoperable and/or radio-resistant brain tumors, and for those patients with co-morbidities or are not healthy enough to undergo a craniotomy. Commercial systems are available in two different wavelengths and with two different probe tips. Previous trials using these systems have found great potential in MRgLITT both as palliative and primary treatment options. In addition to tumor ablation, MRgLITT has the ability to disrupt the blood brain barrier. This could increase efficacy of other treatments used in conjunction with MRgLITT and increase patient survival rates. This chapter discusses the applications of MRgLITT for glioblastomas, commercially available ablation systems, suggested treatment procedures and treatment planning, and future recommendations to improve MRgLITT treatments. An evaluation of previous and ongoing studies is be presented along with their results and authors’ suggestions.