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Semin intervent Radiol 2022; 39(02): 167-171
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1745763
Review Article

Intercostal Cryoneurolysis

Junjian Huang
1   Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Kevin Delijani
2   Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
,
Husamuddin El Khudari
1   Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Andrew J. Gunn
1   Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Abstract

Chest wall pain affects many patients following chest surgery, fractures, or malignancies, and can be very difficult to manage with normal pharmacologic agents. Intercostal ablation provides one alternative treatment modality for patients suffering from intercostal pain. Intercostal cryoneurolysis involves using extreme cold to cause Wallerian degeneration of the targeted intercostal nerve. This article reviews the patient selection, technique, and complications in the utilization of intercostal neurolysis in the treatment of intractable chest pain.

Keywords

intercostal cryoneurolysis - nerve ablation - interventional radiology - pain management


Publication History

Article published online:
30 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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