cryotherapy; cutaneous cryotherapy

Introduction

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

• warts
• molluscum contagiosum
• actinic keratosis
• seborrheic keratosis
• skin tags
• lentigines
• anogenital condylomas
• prurigo nodularis ?

Contraindications

• neoplasms with indefinite margins or when pathology is desired
• basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas with high-risk features

Procedure

• the entire lesion & a 1-3 mm rim around the lesion should be frozen
• cryogun vs cotton swab
• 90 degree angle to skin
• pulsatile use of cyrogun
• deeper freeze needed for
  • deeper lesions
  • malignancies
• control depth of freeze
  • halo diameter
  • freeze time
  • thaw time

Complications

• local skin damage
  • hypopigmentation,
  • bleeding, blistering, edema
  • scarring, alopecia, atrophy
• nerve damage (especially lateral aspect of digits)
  • paresthesia & pain
• tendon rupture (rare)

More general terms

• cold therapy

More specific terms

• cryotherapy for acne

Additional terms

• cryosurgery (cryoablation)