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cryotherapy; cutaneous cryotherapy
The therapeutic use of cold to reduce discomfort, limit progression of tissue edema, or break a cycle of muscle spasm.
Cryotherapy is a form of counterirritation.
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen:
Indications:
1) warts
2) molluscum contagiosum
3) actinic keratosis
4) seborrheic keratosis
5) skin tags
6) lentigines
7) anogenital condylomas
8) prurigo nodularis ?
Contraindications:
- neoplasms with indefinite margins or when pathology is desired
- basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas with high-risk features
Complications:
1) local skin damage
- hypopigmentation,
- bleeding, blistering, edema
- scarring, alopecia, atrophy
2) nerve damage (especially lateral aspect of digits)
- paresthesia & pain
3) tendon rupture (rare)
Procedure:
1) the entire lesion & a 1-3 mm rim around the lesion should be frozen
2) cryogun vs cotton swab
3) 90 degree angle to skin
4) pulsatile use of cyrogun
5) deeper freeze needed for
a) deeper lesions
b) malignancies
6) control depth of freeze
a) halo diameter
b) freeze time
c) thaw time
Related
cryosurgery (cryoablation)
Specific
cryotherapy for acne
General
cold therapy
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
- Usatine, RP, In: Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine &
Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 12-15, 2001
- Clebak KT, Mendez-Miller M, Croad J.
Cutaneous Cryosurgery for Common Skin Conditions.
Am Fam Physician. 2020 Apr 1;101(7):399-406.
PMID: 32227823 Free Article