1. Case 10: Cryolysis
This 58 year old female underwent thoractomy with resection of the left 9th rib to resect non-small cell lung carcinoma. Two years later she had chronic pain in the 9th rib distribution which had failed other attempts at relief. CT imaging (A) as well as radionuclide bone scan and PET were all negative. Under light sedation a cryoprobe was advanced to the intercostal nerve root which replicated the patient’s pain (B). Propofol was adminstered by anesthesia and 4 minutes of ablation was performed. Within 2 days, the patient’s pain had dissipated and she remained pain free at one year following the procedure.