Cryoablation Shows Promise in Reducing Phantom Limb Pain

April 6, 2016—According to data from a pilot study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, patients reported a reduction in their phantom limb pain after undergoing cryoablation. The study was presented in an abstract by J. David Prologo, MD, and colleagues. Dr. Prologo is Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine and Director of Interventional Radiology Services at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

Data from 10 patients enrolled in the proof-of-concept study with outcomes out to 45 days were presented. Visual Analog Scale scores were collected, as were questionnaire responses at baseline and 7 and 45 days postprocedure.

The investigators reported a technical success rate of 100% and no procedure-related complications. Regarding outcomes, mild decreases were noted at 7 days, and statistically significant decreases were recorded at 45 days. The average pain score dropped on the 10-point Visual Analog Scale from 6.4 at baseline to 2.4 at 45 days. 

Discussing the study with the media, Dr. Prologo described the patient experience as beginning with a consultation to determine and document true phantom limb pain. If it is determined that the patient has phantom limb pain related to nerve scarring near the amputation site, an image-guided bupivacaine injection is employed to determine pain improvement. “In this way,” he said, “we can localize the source of pain and document in a conservative fashion our diagnostic procedures.” 

The patient then comes in for an outpatient procedure in which a cryoablation probe is placed via CT and ultrasound guidance, and an ablation zone is created at –40º C. The overall procedure takes approximately 45 minutes, noted Dr. Prologo, and the patient is discharged approximately 2 hours later. 

Based on the results available to date, the researchers concluded that image-guided nerve cryoablation is feasible and safe, and Dr. Prologo indicated they believe it is also durable.