Cryoneurolysis: How I Do It – Technique, Safety, and Clinical Applications

Cryoneurolysis is a minimally invasive image-guided technique that uses controlled freezing to provide temporary pain relief by interrupting nerve conduction. This review summarizes the current understanding of its mechanisms, indications, procedural steps, and clinical outcomes. The technique relies on the Joule–Thomson effect to create localized ice formation around the target nerve, producing reversible axonal injury while preserving connective tissue structures. When applied under ultrasound or computed tomography guidance, cryoneurolysis offers safe and effective pain management for musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and cancer-related pain. Evidence from recent studies demonstrates significant pain reduction, functional improvement, and low complication rates. This article presents a practical overview of how cryoneurolysis is performed and its growing role in interventional radiology practice.