Abstract
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.
We describe our experience performing cryoablative procedures. Patients undergoing
cryoneurolysis have largely 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 from painful peripheral nerve lesions.
Keywords
cryoanalgesia - cryotherapy - peripheral neuritis - neuroma
