Ultrasound guided cryoanalgesia of peripheral nerve lesions

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe our experience performing cryoablative procedures for patients with painful peripheral nerve lesions, excluding patients with chronic regional pain syndrome.SummaryThe real-time nature of ultrasound makes it ideally suited to provide guidance for a variety of musculoskeletal interventional procedures involving peripheral nerves. Continuous observation of the needle ensures proper placement and allows continuous monitoring when performing localized ablative therapy and therefore, more accurate positioning of a cryoprobe, use of smaller needles, as well as access to small structures. In the current talk, we describe our experience performing cryoablative procedures for a variety of painful peripheral nerve lesions. In our experience, patients undergoing cryoneurolysis have reported varying degrees of long-term pain relief and improvement in function; no serious complications have yet been identified. Ultrasound guided cryoneurolysis can provide a useful, safe alternative to other ablative techniques to achieve long-term analgesia. In as much as there is only limited patient outcome data available to date, we present descriptive information as to our current technique with limited patient follow-up. For purposes of the current discussion, we will not include examples of patients with chronic regional pain syndrome as they form a complex group of patients not easily addressed through simple targeted ablative techniques. To describe our experience performing cryoablative procedures for patients with painful peripheral nerve lesions, excluding patients with chronic regional pain syndrome. The real-time nature of ultrasound makes it ideally suited to provide guidance for a variety of musculoskeletal interventional procedures involving peripheral nerves. Continuous observation of the needle ensures proper placement and allows continuous monitoring when performing localized ablative therapy and therefore, more accurate positioning of a cryoprobe, use of smaller needles, as well as access to small structures. In the current talk, we describe our experience performing cryoablative procedures for a variety of painful peripheral nerve lesions. In our experience, patients undergoing cryoneurolysis have reported varying degrees of long-term pain relief and improvement in function; no serious complications have yet been identified. Ultrasound guided cryoneurolysis can provide a useful, safe alternative to other ablative techniques to achieve long-term analgesia. In as much as there is only limited patient outcome data available to date, we present descriptive information as to our current technique with limited patient follow-up. For purposes of the current discussion, we will not include examples of patients with chronic regional pain syndrome as they form a complex group of patients not easily addressed through simple targeted ablative techniques.