Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “THERMOTHERAPY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

High energy transurethral thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: criteria to predict treatment outcome.

In this study we analyzed the individual value of baseline parameters to predict the outcome of high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy in the treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Two hundred and forty-seven patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated with high energy microwave thermotherapy using the software 2.5 (Prostatron). Mean age at the time of treatment was 66.3 (s.d. 8.2) y, the mean prostate volume 57.0 (s.d. 25.2) cc and the mean energy applied was 159 (s.d. 40) KJ. Multi variable analysis on baseline parameters was performed to evaluate their predictive value for response using the WHO-response evaluation criteria for IPSS, maximum flow and urodynamic obstruction (linPURR). At 1 y follow-up a 57% increase in maximum flow and a 59% decrease in symptom score was noticed following high energy transurethral thermotherapy. The percentage of good responders varies between 12% and 34% depending on the stratification (IPSS, Q(max) and linPURR), the percentage of intermediate responders in these categories varies between 17% and 60% and the percentage of poor responders varies between 20% and 49%. Independently predictive baseline parameters for poor response were patients' age, prostate size and grade of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The total amount of energy delivered during treatment is also correlated with response. For the case selection for high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy three baseline parameters can be identified which predict response for at least one response evaluation criterium: age, prostate size, grade of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and total amount of TUMT-energy. Especially the total amount of TUMT-energy is strongly predictive for all three response evaluation criteria, which suggests an important contribution of other mechanisms such as vascularisation and tissue composition to the outcome of high energy TUMT treatment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Three-year followup of patients treated with lower energy microwave thermotherapy.

PURPOSE: A retrospective study was done to investigate the long-term outcome of patients treated with lower energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 305 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hypertrophy underwent transurethral microwave thermotherapy according to a similar protocol at 2 centers. RESULTS: After 3 years of followup 133 patients who had undergone transurethral microwave thermotherapy alone were available for study. During this observation period significant symptomatic improvement from baseline and an improved maximum flow rate of 2.6 ml. per second were noted. Of the patients 125 underwent invasive or medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 3 years of followup lower energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy showed significant and durable improvements in baseline parameters in 52% of the patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma.

The management of choroidal melanomas depends on many factors, most importantly, tumor size and location. Small choroidal melanoma in the posterior fundus is amenable to treatment options such as enucleation, radiotherapy, laser photocoagulation, and transpupillary thermotherapy or a combination of these methods. Transpupillary thermotherapy is a technique of tumor heating by infrared radiation delivered through the pupil into the tumor. This method causes dramatic tumor necrosis in choroidal melanomas up to 4 mm in thickness. With properly selected small choroidal melanomas, tumor control is approximately 94%. The heat induces cellular damage at the site of treatment with few remote side effects; therefore, complications are generally limited to the site of treatment and include retinal vascular obstruction (23%), retinal traction (20%), retinal neovascularization (6%), and retinal hole with detachment (< 1%). Tumors located temporal to the foveola demonstrate a statistically higher risk for retinal traction than those located in other quadrants. Tumors near the optic disk demonstrate a higher incidence of retinal neovascularization due to heat-induced obstruction of a major retinal vascular arcade. Overall, vision preservation is satisfactory after thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma, with more than 50% of patients maintaining the same or better vision after treatment, depending primarily on tumor location. In summary, small choroidal melanomas can be controlled with transpupillary thermotherapy, especially those near the optic disk and foveola in areas that are otherwise difficult to irradiate. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess for local recurrence and the impact of treatment on life prognosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of different methods of thermotherapy on skin microcirculation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of different methods of thermotherapy on skin microcirculation, skin temperature, and core temperature in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in healthy persons. DESIGN: In 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 20 healthy controls, the skin microcirculation was measured by means of laser-Doppler flowmetry before, at the end of, and 30 mins after completion of local thermotherapy (infrared light, paraffin, peat) in the lumbar area. In addition, skin and core temperature were recorded at the same point in time. The influence of previous intake of acetylsalicylic acid on skin microcirculation during thermotherapy was investigated. The controlled trial was conducted in an air-conditioned laboratory. RESULTS: All methods caused a significant increase in skin microcirculation (flow and vasomotion), skin temperature, and core temperature. The skin temperature showed the highest increase when infrared light was applied. The microcirculation became more intense when paraffin fango was used. There were no differences between the reactions of rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy persons. The additional intake of 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid before treatment did not affect skin temperature or skin microcirculation. A tendency toward a sinusoidal rhythmization of vasomotion was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of the three methods of thermotherapy differ quantitatively due to their physical attributes. The effects on circulation differ depending on the method chosen, and this is significant when selecting the least stressful method for a particular patient. Rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls have the same increase of skin microcirculation in the lumbar area. Findings in the distal limbs might differ. All used therapies cause a rhythmization of the vasomotion and, as a consequence, a qualitative improvement of the microcirculation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Mapping of the cortical motor hand area with functional MR imaging and MR imaging-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy of brain tumors. Work in progress.

PURPOSE: To localize the cortical motor hand area with functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before and after MR imaging--guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy of tumors in the precentral brain region to control energy delivery and to improve safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional MR images were obtained in eight patients (five men, three women; aged 27-63 years) while they flexed their fingers. MR imaging--guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy was terminated when there was less than 8-12 mm between the border of the laser-induced lesion and the motor hand area anterior aspect. RESULTS: Seven patients had a statistically significant localized change in signal intensity in the central region of the contralateral hemisphere. This area was a spotlike circumscribed focus in three patients and scattered over a larger zone in four patients. Persistent deficits did not occur after thermotherapy in any patient. In three patients, onset of reversible perifocal edema in the motor hand area coincided with the development of hemiparesis, which completely resolved. No patient had activity within the tumor on functional MR images. CONCLUSION: Functional MR imaging findings can be used to prevent neurologic damage during MR imaging--guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic microwave thermotherapy on small renal tumors: experimental studies using implanted VX-2 tumors in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of microwave thermotherapy on implanted renal VX-2 tumors. METHODS: Fifteen rabbits with implanted renal VX-2 tumors were divided into three groups according to the type of therapy: nephrectomy, laparoscopic microwave thermotherapy, and no treatment. Both the anticancer effect and safety were compared among these groups. RESULTS: The survival rate in the laparoscopic microwave thermotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the no-treatment group, and was the same as that in the nephrectomy group. The serum creatinine level did not increase after microwave therapy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic microwave thermotherapy may be useful for a nephron-salvaging treatment in small implanted renal VX-2 tumors in rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Clinical effect of bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy on allergic rhinitis].

The clinical effect of bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy on allergic rhinitis was evaluated. A bipolar radiofrequency system (CelonLab ENT) was used to treat 16 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis between February 2003 and August 2003. The thermotherapy was performed under local anesthesia at the otolaryngology outpatient clinic of St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital. Data were collected by questionnaire and rhinomanometry preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score for intraoperative pain was 31 mm (range, 0-100), and nearly all the patients felt no or a subtle pain during the thermotherapy. Postoperative pain was also well tolerated, with nearly all the patients not requiring analgesic drugs. Postoperative bleeding was minor, and none of the patients required additional treatment for bleeding. Nearly all the patients reported an improvement in their nasal patency, rhinorrhea, headaches, and sleeping. Statistically significant improvements were observed for all the measured VAS scores: nasal patency, rhinorrhea, headache, and olfactory function. Nasal resistance, as measured by anterior rhinomanometry, significantly improved after treatment. The effect of decongestion was also measured using anterior rhinomanometry. The ratio of nasal resistance before and after decongestion was significantly higher after thermotherapy, suggesting that nasal decongestion had a smaller effect on nasal patency after treatment. The current results suggest that the CelonLab ENT device is an effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Transurethral thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia significantly decreases infravesical obstruction: results in 134 patients after 1 year.

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated a decrease in outflow obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with second generation thermotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transurethral microwave therapy was given with local anesthesia to 134 patients with urodynamically and cystoscopically documented obstruction by BPH and preserved detrusor function. Of 134 patients 67 (50%) had a general health score of 3 or greater. RESULTS: Urgency was the main complaint during thermotherapy. After a median followup of 24 months (minimum 12) 100 patients were evaluable at 6 and 12 months. Of the initial 134 patients 17 (13%) who required additional treatment (repeat thermotherapy, transurethral prostatic resection, permanent cystostomy), 7 who died during followup for treatment unrelated reasons and 10 who were lost to followup or refused evaluation were excluded from further analysis. Mean International Prostate Symptom Score decreased from 22.5 before to 3.6 at 6 months after treatment and remained stable at 12 months. Mean Quality of Life Index improved from 4.3 before to 1 at 12 months after treatment. Mean maximum flow increased from 7.3 ml. per second before to 14.5 at 6 months and 13.9 at 12 months after treatment. Mean post-void residual decreased from 199 to 34.8 and 37.2 ml. at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Urodynamic evaluation of 84 patients after 6 months revealed a decrease in mean detrusor opening pressure from 96.8 to 53 cm. water and mean detrusor pressure at maximum flow from 99.8 to 59.7 cm. water. Mean ultrasonographic prostate volume decreased from 57.6 to 42.4 cc and a cavity in the prostate was documented in 65 of the 84 cases (77%). All changes between the pretreatment and posttreatment values at 6 and 12 months, respectively, were statistically significant (paired t test p<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted transurethral thermotherapy with second generation microwave equipment is minimally invasive, easy to apply and generally well tolerated with local anesthesia. Infravesical outlet obstruction and voiding pressures as assessed by pressure flow studies significantly decreased 6 months after treatment. Subjective voiding symptoms as well as post-void residual urine were significantly decreased, and urinary flow was improved 6 and 12 months after treatment of documented BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

High energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy for the treatment of patients in urinary retention.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy of high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy for treating urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1993 and March 1999, 41 patients with urinary retention were treated with high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy. Initial evaluation consisted of a history, clinical examination, urethrocystoscopy, transrectal prostate ultrasonography and urodynamic investigation with a pressure flow study. Followup visits at 12, 26 and 52 weeks included International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine volume determination. At 26 weeks the urodynamic study was repeated. Kaplan-Meier plots were constructed to evaluate the risk of re-treatment adjusted for patients lost to followup. RESULTS: At baseline median patient age was 74 years and median prostate size was 67 ml. Median 133 kJ. were administered. Nine patients underwent re-treatment and 11 were lost to followup. The re-treatment rate after 1 year was 25% (95% confidence interval 11 to 40). In good responders at 12, 26 and 52 weeks median maximal urine free flow was 15, 11 and 15 ml. per second, post-void residual urine volume was 61, 8 and 35 ml., and I-PSS was 7, 5 and 2, respectively. Quality of life (I-PSS question 8) was 1 at all visits. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe co-morbidity transurethral microwave thermotherapy is often the only alternative to an indwelling catheter with obvious quality of life advantages. High energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy appears to be effective in these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[A case of choroidal hemangioma with bullous exudative retinal detachment treated successfully by transpupillary thermotherapy].

BACKGROUND: Choroidal hemangioma associated with bullous retinal detachment may be difficult to treat, due to varying results with conventional laser photocoagulation, radiotherapy, or surgical drainage. Here we report on a case of extensive bullous retinal detachment secondary to circumscribed choroidal hemangioma that was resolved after combined treatment with vitrectomy, silicone oil tamponade, and transpupillary thermotherapy. CASE: A 29-year-old woman presented with a large choroidal hemangioma in her right eye associated with serous retinal detachment. The tumor measured 8 disc diameters in size and was located in the inferotemporal macula, abutting the fovea. RESULTS: Laser photocoagulation of the tumor was unsuccessful in inducing absorption of subretinal fluid. Because of progressive bullous retinal detachment, surgery was performed consisting of external drainage of subretinal fluid, vitrectomy, endolaser photocoagulation of the tumor, and silicone oil tamponade. The silicone oil was removed four weeks postoperatively at which time almost complete resolution of the retinal detachment was observed. However, retinal detachment recurred eight weeks later, and transpupillary thermotherapy was then applied to the tumor. By four weeks after transpupillary thermotherapy, total reabsorption of subretinal fluid, visual acuity improvement, and decreased height of the choroidal hemangioma were noted. CONCLUSION: Transpupillary thermotherapy is an effective treatment for serous retinal detachment associated with choroidal hemangioma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Baseline prostatic specific antigen does not predict the outcome of high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy.

PURPOSE: We assessed the prognostic value of baseline prostate specific antigen (PSA) for outcome after high energy transurethral thermotherapy in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively in 404 consecutive patients treated with high energy transurethral thermotherapy with the Prostatron device (EDAP-Technomed, Lyon, France). Patients were followed a minimum of 1 year. At baseline certain criteria were assessed, including pretreatment PSA, uroflowmetry, ultrasound measurement of prostatic volume, voided and post-void residual urine volume, and International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and quality of life scores. Outcome assessment included I-PSS, quality of life score and uroflowmetry of peak urine flow. Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate baseline PSA with improved clinical parameters at 12 months of followup. Logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristics curves characterized the ability of baseline PSA to discriminate patients with a more or less favorable outcome. RESULTS: An evident linear association was identified for prostate size at baseline and PSA. After 1 year 36 patients were treated again due to transurethral thermotherapy failure and 16 had died, which was not related to lower urinary tract symptoms or treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms. To include re-treated patients in the analyses we considered that their I-PSS, quality of life and peak urine flow values at 1 year were unchanged compared with baseline. Of the 388 evaluable patients an improvement of 50% or more in I-PSS, quality of life and peak urine flow was observed in 57%, 62% and 44%, respectively. Absolute mean changes at 1 year were -9.7, -2 and 5.2 ml. per second for I-PSS, quality of life and peak urine flow, respectively. Neither linear nor logistic regression analysis showed any clinically relevant correlation between baseline PSA and changes in I-PSS (r = -0.004), quality of life (r = -0.135) or peak urine flow (r = 0.105) at 1 year. Receiver operating characteristics curves failed to distinguish more or less favorable outcomes in all evaluated parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment PSA cannot predict the clinical outcome after high energy transurethral thermotherapy.

Diathermy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Large spot endolaser for retinal photocoagulation and transvitreal thermotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy can be used for the treatment and choroidal tumors. A large spot endolaser probe was developed for endophotocoagulation and transvitreal thermotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the probe's clinical performance for photocoagulation and transvitreal thermotherapy combined with macular elevation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endolaser with a divergent beam giving a 3 mm spot size on the retina was developed. Vitrectomy was performed on ten eyes of five Dutch Belted rabbits. Threshold for photocoagulation was determined for the diode (810 nm) laser in four eyes. In another six eyes, the retina was detached with balanced salt solution prior to laser irradiation. The tissue effects were monitored clinically and with photography and microscopy. RESULTS: Threshold photocoagulation was induced with 150 mW power, for 1 minute, in attached retina. Following retinal detachment, no coagulation occurred at 200 mW (suprathreshold) power for 1 minute. CONCLUSIONS: A large spot endolaser probe may be useful for endophotocoagulation. It generates more gradual photocoagulation than standard endolaser probes, giving a more controllable reaction over a larger area. This may be useful for treatment of large areas of the retina when treating retinal detachments or ischemic retinopathies. When detached retina was irradiated, no retinal damage occurred at suprathreshold power. This development may allow for intraoperative transvitreal thermotherapy of choroidal neovascularization while protecting the retina with intentional intraoperative detachment of the retina.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) with differing etiologies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine eyes of 9 patients with classic subfoveal CNVM with different etiologies that was treated with indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy were prospectively studied. All patients underwent pretreatment fluorescein angiography. Three minutes after dye injection (25 mg of indocyanine green), transpupillary thermotherapy was delivered using a modified diode laser at 810 nm, with a variable spot size of 0.8 to 2 mm depending on the size of the CNVM. A power range between 100 and 800 mW was used and treatment was initiated in one spot for 60 seconds; the end point was a barely detectable light gray appearance of the lesion. The outcome measures were assessed by Snellen visual acuity chart and obliteration of the CNVM by fluorescein angiography. Mean follow-up was 16 months. RESULTS: Obliteration of the CNVM was seen in all patients during the last visit. Visual acuity improved in one eye and remained stable (+/-2 line change on Snellen chart) in three eyes. Three eyes revealed a moderate visual loss of 3 to 4 lines and two eyes had a severe decline (> 5 lines) in vision. None of the eyes exhibited recurrence of the CNVM during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy was highly effective in closing classic CNVM in all cases without any recurrence. Visual acuity was either stabilized or improved in 4 of 9 eyes (44.5%).

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Transpupillary thermotherapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) on circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 cases with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (age 16-48, average 34.4) were included in the present study. Six cases had previous green laser (4 argon and 2 krypton) photocoagulation, TTT as a primary treatment was used for other 4 cases without previous laser application. Fluorescein angiography, visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus examination, perimetry test, FFA/ICGA and ultrasonography were performed in all patients before the treatment. One to five infra red diode laser spots (810 nm with power of 800-1200 mW, diameter of 3 mm) were delivered on the surface of tumor with 60 seconds exposure, additional 10-20 seconds exposure was used in some cases. Second treatment was given 1-3 month later if there was active leakage demonstrated by fluorescein angiography. The followed-up period was 6-36 months (averaged 14.5 month). RESULTS: After transpupillary thermotherapy, 9 eyes (90%) showed partial regression of the tumor. Average visual acuity was 0.25 and 0.6 before and after TTT, respectively. Six patients showed improvement of vision acuity, but vision acuity in 4 patients with cystic macular degeneration remained unchanged. No recurrences were observed within follow-up averaged 14.5 months. Transpupillary thermotherapy did not associate with any significant complications. CONCLUSION: Transpupillary thermotherapy is effective to treat circumscribed hemangioma of choroid either as a primary treatment or supplementary therapy to previous laser photocoagulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

High energy thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of the European Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Study Group.

PURPOSE: We documented the results of high energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 116 patients following transurethral microwave thermotherapy according to symptom scores, transrectal ultrasound, free voiding and pressure-flow study parameters. RESULTS: Significant improvement was noted in all objective and subjective parameters. Moreover, cavities in the prostatic urethra were observed in almost 40% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: High energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy is an effective therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients with larger prostates and moderate to severe bladder outlet obstruction seem to be the best candidates for this higher energy thermotherapy protocol, although morbidity is increased.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of various types of thermotherapy in the rehabilitation of persons with war injuries of the extremities].

The aim of this study was to check thermotherapy influence on the outcome of the rehabilitation program in patients who suffered contractures of joints following the war injuries of extremities and to compare the three different thermotherapy effects: peloid, hidrocolator and paraffin. The research included 36 examinees divided into 4 parallel groups: three experimental and a control one. The observation features were: movement range, skin temperature and hyperemic halo diameter around the joint. Rehabilitation program lasted ten therapeutic days. Experimental group examinees were treated by kinesiotherapy and various types of thermotherapy. Control group examinees were treated only by kinesiotherapy. The results demonstrated that thermotherapy did not influence significantly the functional recovery. Characteristically the best thermotherapeutical effect to the skin was reached by the use of paraffin.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interstitial laser thermotherapy in pig liver: effect of inflow occlusion on extent of necrosis and ultrasound image.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim was to investigate the effect of blood inflow occlusion on lesion size and ultrasonographic findings during interstitial laser thermotherapy of normal liver. METHODOLOGY: Pigs were treated with or without hepatic inflow occlusion at a laser power of 3W or without inflow occlusion at 5 W (target temperature 43 degrees C). The thermotherapy system consisted of an Nd:YAG laser and a temperature feedback circuit. Ultrasonography was performed immediately after treatment. Lesion size was determined using light microscopy including immunohistochemistry with bromodeoxyuridine. RESULTS: Hyperechoic ultrasonographic changes were observed after treatment with inflow occlusion or when there was carbonization. If carbonization did not occur, unoccluded blood flow was associated with hypoechoic lesions. Following inflow occlusion, maximum lesion width 2 and 6 days after thermotherapy averaged 21.9 +/- 1.3 and 20.2 +/- 0.8 (means +/- SEM) mm, respectively. This was larger than the corresponding values of 10.8 +/- 0.8 and 11.1 +/- 2.0 observed after treatment without inflow occlusion at 3W (p < 0.01). Increase in laser power from 3 to 5W in experiments without inflow occlusion produced early carbonization and a slight increase in lesion size that did not match that produced by inflow occlusion. Ultrasound gave a correct prediction of necrosis size after treatment with inflow occlusion but overestimated the necrosis when inflow occlusion was not used. Ultrasound was furthermore unable to predict size of necrosis in individual experiments. CONCLUSION: Blood flow has a major influence on lesion size in interstitial laser thermotherapy of the liver and affects ultrasonographic images. Also, it appears that intraoperative ultrasonography cannot monitor lesion size with an accuracy that is sufficient for clinical use.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Large-spot size transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of patients with occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration treated with transpupillary thermotherapy. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, nonmasked case series. METHODS: All patients with age-related macular degeneration with a predominantly occult choroidal neovascular membrane and an initial visual acuity of 20/400 or better were offered treatment using transpupillary thermotherapy. The treatment consisted of using a diode laser, a spot size of about 3000 to 6000 micro m delivered over 60 seconds, and a power of 600 to 1000 mW. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A stable, improved, or worsened visual acuity and the need for additional treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were treated. All patients have been followed up for at least 6 months. At the 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up visits, 71% of patients have stable or improved visual acuity and 29% have lost 2 or more lines of visual acuity on the Snellen letter chart. CONCLUSION: Large-spot size transpupillary thermotherapy is effective in stabilizing the visual acuity in those patients who have occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.

Aged↗