Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique for 
treating intracranial tumors, originally introduced in 1983. Its use in 
neurosurgical procedures was historically limited by early technical 
difficulties related to the monitoring and control of the extent of thermal 
damage. The development of magnetic resonance thermography and its application 
to LITT have allowed for real-time thermal imaging and feedback control during 
laser energy delivery, allowing for precise and accurate provision of tissue 
hyperthermia. Improvements in laser probe design, surgical stereotactic 
targeting hardware, and computer monitoring software have accelerated acceptance 
and clinical utilization of LITT as a neurosurgical treatment alternative. 
Current commercially available LITT systems have been used for the treatment of 
neurosurgical soft-tissue lesions, including difficult to access brain tumors, 
malignant gliomas, and radiosurgery-resistant metastases, as well as for the 
ablation of such lesions as epileptogenic foci and radiation necrosis. In this 
review, the authors aim to critically analyze the literature to describe the 
advent of LITT as a neurosurgical, laser excision tool, including its 
development, use, indications, and efficacy as it relates to neurosurgical 
applications.