05/31/2026
On April 13, 2026, Dr. Ryan Austerman performed the first Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) procedure in Tucson — bringing cutting-edge minimally invasive epilepsy treatment to Southern Arizona.
The patient, a 38-year-old woman suffering from severe medication-resistant epilepsy, experienced multiple debilitating seizures every one to two weeks along with anxiety, falls, and episodes of loss of consciousness. After a comprehensive workup, MRI imaging revealed left mesial temporal sclerosis — a condition known to cause epilepsy.
Because the lesion was located in the dominant side of her brain, preserving speech and memory was critical. Dr. Austerman utilized advanced minimally invasive techniques to safely target the abnormal tissue responsible for her seizures.
Using a carefully planned trajectory from the back of the brain into the temporal lobe, Dr. Austerman placed a laser probe in the operating room. While the patient remained under anesthesia, she was transferred to the MRI scanner where real-time MRI temperature mapping guided the laser treatment. This sophisticated technology allowed precise ablation of the seizure focus while protecting surrounding healthy brain structures.
Over the past year, Dr. Austerman has worked extensively to develop this innovative program — advocating for patients, creating advanced MRI workflows, incorporating 3D-printed laser guides, and collaborating closely with Tucson Medical Center to establish a safe and efficient treatment pathway for this groundbreaking procedure.
This is just one example of the advanced care offered in Dr. Austerman’s practice, which also includes treatment of movement disorders such as essential tremor with brain stimulation, as well as minimally invasive spine surgery designed to reduce blood loss, tissue disruption, and recovery time.
Today, Mary reports:
“No more seizures. It has changed my life and given me hope for the future. It is a beautiful thing for my family and children. I cannot thank Dr. Austerman and the team enough for the work they put into this. I thank God and my family for supporting me through my recovery.”
Ryan J. Austerman, MD, MS
Functional & Stereotactic Neurosurgery
Center for Neurosciences
