Percutaneous cryoanalgesia in pain management: a case-series

Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther. 2015;47(4):333-5. doi: 10.5603/AIT.2015.0045.

Abstract

Background: Cryoanalgesia, also known as cryoneuroablation or cryoneurolysis, is a specialized technique for providing long-term pain relief.

Method: We present here retrospective data on pain relief and changes in function after cryoanalgesia techniques: we describe the effect of this procedure on articular facet syndromes, sacroiliac pain and knee pain.

Results: We reviewed the records of 18 patients with articular lumbar facet pain, knee pain and sacroiliac pain. The Visual Analog Scale and Patient's Global Impression of Change scale show satisfaction at 1 month after cryoablation, with the best scores after three months. Only three patients showed a worse condition than the first month.

Conclusion: The majority of patients experienced a clinically relevant degree of pain relief and improved function following percutaneous cryoanalgesia.

Keywords: cryoanalgesia; cryoneuroablaton; cryoneurolysis; pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesia / methods*
  • Back Pain / therapy
  • Cryotherapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sacroiliac Joint
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zygapophyseal Joint