Monitoring during cryosurgery of bone tumors.
BACKGROUND
Cryosurgery is used in orthopaedic oncology as adjuvant treatment after intralesional excision of bone tumors to induce cell death at and beyond the surgical margin. Monitoring freeze/thaw cycles during cryosurgery is beneficial in controlling a cryosurgical procedure and in preventing an unwarranted local extent of the freeze.


METHODS
We conducted a study of 15 cryosurgical procedures with the use of a protocolized temperature measuring system wit peroperative graphic visualization.


RESULTS
Using a liquid nitrogen spray, intralesional temperatures of -150 degrees C were achieved, which are, according to the literature, associated with cell death. Extralesional temperature measurements showed no sub-zero temperatures of surrounding important tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Temperature recordings in and outside the lesion during cryosurgery in orthopaedic oncology are of importance to monitor the freeze/thaw cycles and are helpful in facilitating an effective cryosurgical procedure and in controlling the extent of the freeze, avoiding local complications.
Schreuder
H W
HW
Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van Egmond
J
J
van Beem
H B
HB
Veth
R P
RP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography
D009584:Nitrogen