CT guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis for post thoracotomy pain syndrome: early experience and effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cryoablation on pain levels in patients with histories of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.


METHODS
Eighteen patients were included in this retrospective review. Preprocedural and immediate postprocedural pain scores were recorded, as well as several months after the procedures.


RESULTS
The average preprocedural pain score was 7.5 +/- 2.0, which decreased to 1.2 +/- 1.9 immediately after the procedure. After a mean follow-up period of 51 days, the average pain score was 4.1 +/- 1.7. The difference between preprocedural and postprocedural pain scores was statistically significant by Wilcoxon's rank sum test.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryoneurolysis of the intercostal nerves statistically significantly decreased pain scores in patients with post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.
Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
William
W
Moore
Dean
D
Kolnick
Jonathan
J
Tan
Hei Shun
HS
Yu
D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013577:Syndrome; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome