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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: Insights into Remotely Supervised Neuromodulation Procedure for Phantom Limb Pain
Published on: March 1, 2024
Percutaneous Image-Guided Cryoablation for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees: A Pilot Study
J David Prologo1, Charles A Gilliland1, Michael Miller1
1Division of Interventional Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1364 Clifton Road, NE Suite D112, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Purpose:
To prospectively evaluate percutaneous image-guided nerve cryoablation for treatment of refractory phantom limb pain (PLP) in a pilot cohort for purposes of deriving parameters to design a larger, randomized, parallel-armed, controlled trial.
Materials And Methods:
From January 2015 to January 2016, 21 patients with refractory PLP underwent image-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis procedures. Visual analog scale scores were documented at baseline and 7, 45, and 180 days after the procedure. Responses to a modified Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire were documented at baseline and 7 and 45 days after the procedure.
Results:
Technical success rate of the procedures was 100%. There were 6 (29%) minor procedure-related complications. Disability scores decreased from a baseline mean of 11.3 to 3.3 at 45-day follow-up (95% confidence interval 5.8, 10.3; P < .0001). Pain intensity scores decreased from a baseline mean of 6.2 to 2.0 at long-term follow-up (95% confidence interval 2.8, 5.6; P < .0001).
Conclusions:
Image-guided percutaneous nerve cryoablation is feasible and safe and may represent a new efficacious therapeutic option for patients with phantom pains related to limb loss.
