Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoablation of the Bilateral Pudendal Nerves for Palliation of Intractable Pain Related to Pelvic Neoplasms

Abstract

Objectives:The purpose of this report is to describe the effect of computed tomography–guided bilateral pudendal nerve cryoablations on pain and time to discharge in the setting of acute hospitalizations secondary to refractory pelvic pain from cancer.Methods:Investigators queried the medical record for patients who underwent pudendal nerve cryoablation using the Category III Current Procedural Technology code assignment 0442T or Category I code 64640 for cases prior to 2015. The resulting list was reviewed, and procedures performed on inpatients for intractable pelvic pain related to neoplasm were selected. The final cohort was then analyzed with regard to patient demographics, procedure details, technical success, safety, pain scores, and time to discharge.Results:Ten patients underwent cryoablation by 3 operators for palliation of painful pelvic neoplasms between June 2014 and January 2019. All probes were satisfactorily positioned and freeze cycles undertaken without difficulty. There were no procedure-related complications or adverse events. The mean difference in pre- and posttreatment worst pain scores was significant (n = 5.20, P = .003). The mean time to discharge following the procedure was 2.3 days.Conclusion:Computed tomography–guided percutaneous cryoablation of the bilateral pudendal nerves may represent a viable option in the setting of acute hospitalization secondary to intractable pain in patients with pelvic neoplasms.