Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a 
novel minimally invasive modality that uses heat from laser probes to destroy 
tissue. Advances in probe design, cooling mechanisms, and real-time MR 
thermography have increased laser utilization in neurosurgery. The authors 
perform a systematic analysis of two commercially available MRgLITT systems used 
in neurosurgery: the Visualase® thermal therapy and NeuroBlate® Systems. Data 
extraction was performed in a blinded fashion. Twenty-two articles were included 
in the quantitative synthesis. A total of 223 patients were identified with the 
majority having undergone treatment with Visualase (n=154, 69%). Epilepsy was 
the most common indication for Visualase therapy (n=8 studies, 47%). Brain mass 
was the most common indication for NeuroBlate therapy (n=3 studies, 60%). There 
were no significant differences, except in age, wherein the NeuroBlate group was 
nearly twice as old as the Visualase group (p<0.001). Frame, total 
complications, and length-of-stay (LOS) were non-significant when adjusted for 
age and number of patients. Laser neurosurgery has evolved over recent decades. 
Clinical indications are currently being defined and will continue to emerge as 
laser technologies become more sophisticated. Head-to-head comparison of these 
systems was difficult given the variance in indications (and therefore patient 
population) and disparate literature.