Percutaneous Cryoablation: Mechanism of Action, Clinical Applications, and Outcomes

Image-guided, percutaneous cryothermal ablation has become a critical modality for the treatment of a variety of malignant and non-malignant indications. This minimally invasive therapeutic modality with a basis in freezing induced cytotoxicity has several key advantages over other thermal ablation techniques. Cryoablation induces rapid-cooling and generates ice balls that define the anatomic boundaries of the lesion allowing for real time evaluation of the ablation zone. Freezing is overall less destructive to normal surrounding structures resulting in minimal normal tissue destruction and scarring, with cosmetic and functional preservation of surrounding tissue. In this chapter we will outline several applications of cryoablation outlining key points for malignant and non-malignant disease processes in several organ systems.