Laser treatments of deep-seated brain lesions

Helen A. Ward

doi:10.1117/12.275510

16 June 1997 Laser treatments of deep-seated brain lesions

Helen A. Ward

Proceedings Volume 2975, Laser-Tissue Interaction VIII; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.275510
Event: BiOS '97, Part of Photonics West, 1997, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The five year survival rate of deep-seated malignant brain tumors after surgery/radiotherapy is virtually 100 percent mortality. Special problems include: (1) Lesions often present late. (2) Position: lesion overlies vital structures, so complete surgical/radiotherapy lesion destruction can damage vital brain-stem functions. (3) Difficulty in differentiating normal brain form malignant lesions. This study aimed to use the unique properties of the laser: (a) to minimize damage during surgical removal of deep-seated brain lesions by operating via fine optic fibers; and (b) to employ the propensity of certain lasers for absorption of dyes and absorption and induction of fluorescence in some brain substances, to differentiate borders of malignant and normal brain, for more complete tumor removal. In the method a fine laser endoscopic technique was devised for removal of brain lesions. The results of this technique, were found to minimize and accurately predict the extent of thermal damage and shock waves to within 1-2mm of the surgical laser beam. Thereby it eliminated the 'popcorn' effect.

Citation Download Citation

Helen A. Ward "Laser treatments of deep-seated brain lesions", Proc. SPIE 2975, Laser-Tissue Interaction VIII, (16 June 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.275510

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