CT-Guided Cryoablation

CT-Guided Cryoablation

Cryoablation is a procedure that utilizes extreme cold to ablate (remove) diseased tissue. A computed tomography (CT) scan guides the physician as a cryoprobe is inserted into the diseased tissue and the cooling agent (liquid nitrogen or argon gas) is delivered.

What is it for?

The imaging technology allows the doctor to accurately insert the cryoablation needle through the skin into the tumor. With the needle precisely positioned, ice is created to ensure that the entire tumor is treated. The freezing process destroys the cells in the tumor.

It can be used for the following cancers:

• Bone
• Cervical
• Eye
• Kidney
• Liver
• Lung
• Prostate

How to prepare

• Inform your doctor about your medical history and medicines you are taking
• Plan to have someone drive you home following the procedure

Risks

• Bleeding
• Accumulation of fluids
• Nerve damage
• Complications related to medications such as anesthesia

What happens during?

• The procedure takes approximately one to three hours
• You will be given a sedative through an I.V. line or an anesthetic
• The insertion site will be cleaned and sterilized
• A small incision is made at the insertion site
• Using imaging guidance, the needle is placed through the skin at the site of the diseased tissue. Once the needle is in place, the liquid nitrogen or argon gas is delivered.
• Once the freezing agent is delivered, the needle is removed and pressure is applied to stop any bleeding. The skin is bandaged and your I.V. line is removed.

What happens after?

• You will undergo a recovery period where your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored
• You will be discharged as soon as you are eating, drinking, walking and going to the bathroom satisfactorily. Most of the time you will be able to go home the same day of the procedure.
• • Depending on the severity of your condition, you should be able to return to normal activities in a period that ranges from one day to ten days.

More information:

• RadiologyInfo.org