Intercostal Cryoneurolysis

Chest wall pain affects many patients following chest surgery, fractures, or malignancies, and can be very difficult to manage with normal pharmacologic agents. Intercostal ablation provides one alternative treatment modality for patients suffering from intercostal pain. Intercostal cryoneurolysis involves using extreme cold to cause Wallerian degeneration of the targeted intercostal nerve. This article reviews the patient selection, technique, and complications in the utilization of intercostal neurolysis in the treatment of intractable chest pain.