US characteristics of frozen prostate.

Abstract

Cryosurgery has previously been used successfully to treat prostatic carcinoma. Inability to monitor the freezing led to local complications that limited the use of this modality. In this animal study, monitoring of the freezing process was accomplished with real-time ultrasound. The margin of the frozen tissue appeared as a hyperechoic rim with posterior acoustic shadowing. The thawed cryolesions showed markedly decreased echogenicity compared with normal unfrozen prostate. These characteristic changes should allow safer and more efficacious application of prostatic cryosurgery.

Initial Brazilian experience in the treatment of localized prostate cancer using a new generation cryotechnology: feasibility study

“…This resulted in severe and frequent complications such as urinary incontinence, urethral sloughing and recto-urethral fistulae. After 1980, Onik et al refined the technique by using interventional radiological procedures and transrectal ultrasound (11). The TRUS -guided transperineal placement of cryoprobes with real -time monitoring and control of the freezing process has significantly decreased the complications (12,13).…”

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis for treatment of acute pain: could cryoanalgesia replace continuous peripheral nerve blocks?

“…They also reduce inflammatory mediators with beneficial effects on vasomotor tone, platelet function, oxidation status, coagulation and inflammation. 5 These characteristics also appear to stabilize atheromatous plaques. 5 Recently, statins have been demonstrated to induce cardiac remodelling and reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation in asymptomatic high-risk patients.…”

“…5 These characteristics also appear to stabilize atheromatous plaques. 5 Recently, statins have been demonstrated to induce cardiac remodelling and reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation in asymptomatic high-risk patients. 6 The effects on inflammatory pathways may be particularly relevant in situations where there is tissue injury, such as occurs with surgery.…”

“…3 The first automated cryosurgical apparatus used liquid nitrogen to cool a probe-or 'cannula'-in 1961; and Lloyd and colleagues 4 first used the term 'cryoanalgesia' in 1976, noting that neuro-ablation using cold lacked the neuritis and neuralgia that commonly occurred when phenol, alcohol or surgical lesions are employed. With the advent of ultrasound-guided probe insertion, 5 cryoneurolysis was used to provide analgesia for multiple chronic pain states. 2 While cryoneurolysis has been used to treat acute pain following herniorrhaphy, 6 7 tonsillectomy 8 and thoracotomy via the surgical incision, 9 percutaneous administration theoretically increases the potential scenarios for its use to provide analgesia.…”

Salvage cryosurgery for locally recurrent prostate cancer following radiotherapy

“…The sound waves reflect off the frozen/unfrozen interface and appear as an advancing hyperechoic rim with anechoic shadow behind. 18 One of the limitations of ultrasound is the inability to provide information about the temperature distribution within the iceball. The introduction of thermosensors by Lee et al 19 in 1994 allowed the surgeon to monitor the temperature of the iceball precisely.…”