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Papers of the Week


2022 Dec


Cureus


14


12

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Cryoneurolysis for Post-Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome: A Case Report.

Authors

Perese J, Oswald J, Gabriel RA
Cureus. 2022 Dec; 14(12):e32888.
PMID: 36699749.

Abstract

Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a post-operative thoracotomy complication that is difficult to treat. We describe the first-time use of ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis of the intercostal nerves to successfully treat PTPS refractory to conventional medications and interventions. We report a case of a 40-year-old male with two years of severe PTPS sustained after undergoing a thoracotomy. Treatment with intercostal cryoneurolysis resulted in an immediate 75% improvement in pain for six weeks followed by sustained 50% pain relief for eight weeks. This highlights the potential of this intervention as a radiation-free, safe, and efficacious therapy for chronic PTPS.