title: Cryoneurolysis in Patients with Refractory Chronic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cryoneurolysis in patients with refractory peripheral neuropathic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients referred for cryoneurolysis of refractory peripheral neuropathy were recruited prospectively from July 2011 to July 2013. The mean patient age was 49.5 years, and 41% of patients were female. Ultrasound imaging of the involved nerves was used for guidance. Percutaneous ablations were performed with a PerCryo 17R device. Pain levels were recorded on a visual analog scale (scores 0-10) before and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the procedure, and complications were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean pain levels were 8.3 ± 1.9 before intervention and 2.3 ± 2.5 at 1 month, 3.2 ± 2.5 at 3 months, 4.7 ± 2.7 at 6 months, and 5.1 ± 3.7 at 12 months afterward. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed and showed a statically significant decrease between pre- and postprocedural pain scores. There were no complications from the procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryoneurolysis caused a significant decrease in self-reported pain scores in patients with chronic refractory neuropathic pain, with moderately long-term relief. Cryoneurolysis is an additional therapy that can alleviate severe chronic neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
authors.forename: Jung Hwoon Edward
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
authors.forename: Vadim
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grechushkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharji
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Durkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV, Room 060, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Electronic address: william.moore@stonybrook.edu.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional