Saline Hydrodissection Does Not Markedly Alter Local Temperatures in Percutaneous Transpedicular Cryoablation

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Interventional Radiology
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Cryoablation is a method for treating bone tumors.
• Hydrodissection is used in transpedicular cryoablation to protect surrounding anatomy.
• The clinical benefit of hydrodissection in spinal tumor cryoablation remains unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of hydrodissection during transpedicular cryoablation.
• To determine if hydrodissection increases local temperatures around the pedicle.

Main Methods:

• Cryoprobes were inserted bilaterally through pedicles at six vertebral levels.
• A 10-minute freeze cycle was initiated, with one pedicle serving as control and the other receiving hydrodissection.
• Temperature and distance measurements were recorded, with 3D reconstruction software used for accuracy.

Main Results:

• Temperature showed a polynomial relationship with distance from the cryoprobe.
• Time negatively impacted temperature, as expected.
• No statistically significant temperature change was observed with hydrodissection, with an average difference of 1.89°C.

Conclusions:

• Hydrodissection with saline during transpedicular cryoablation does not appear to significantly increase local temperatures.
• Time spent on hydrodissection could be better utilized for optimal cryoprobe placement.
• Further research may focus on optimizing cryoprobe placement techniques.