Image-guided peripheral nerve interventions- applications and techniques.

Interventional radiology continues to be at the forefront of acute and chronic pain management. Our unique imaging expertise and ability to target difficult to reach structures allows for the continuous development of new ways to treat a variety of pain generators. In addition, the advent of thermal ablation techniques and technologies has provided a unique opportunity to offer patients more durable and predictable options to treat their pain.

Smallest Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Amputation-Related Pain and Brief Pain Inventory Scores as Defined by Patient Reports of Global Improvement After Cryoneurolysis: a Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: The smallest meaningful improvement in pain scores (minimal clinically important difference [MCID]) after an analgesic intervention is essential information when both interpreting published data and designing a clinical trial. However, limited information is available for patients with chronic pain conditions, and what is published is derived from studies involving pharmacologic and psychological interventions. We here calculate these values based on data collected from 144 participants of a previously published multicenter clinical trial investigating the effects of a single treatment with percutaneous cryoneurolysis.

Safety and Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Cryoablation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive study to evaluate the safety and 6-month effectiveness of percutaneous cryoablation of the stellate ganglion for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Eight patients with CRPS diagnosed by Budapest criteria were treated with this procedure. CRPS symptom severity was assessed prior to the procedure and at 3-month intervals after the procedure using a novel CRPS scoring system-the Budapest score-created by the authors.

Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoneurolysis of the Intercostobrachial Nerve for Management of Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) cryoneurolysis for pain control in patients with postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS).

Materials And Methods: Fourteen patients with PMPS were prospectively enrolled into this clinical trial after a positive response to a diagnostic computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous block of the ICBN. Participants subsequently underwent CT-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis of the same nerve and were observed on postprocedural Days 10, 90, and 180.