Doctors at KIMS Hospital have successfully treated a 26-year-old woman suffering from chronic nerve pain using the cryoablation technique, offering her significant relief after years of unsuccessful treatments. The patient had been battling intense abdominal pain for three years, which had persisted despite undergoing multiple medical interventions.
The innovative procedure involved the use of a cryoablation machine, where extremely cold liquid (cryogen) is injected near the affected nerves. This process temporarily disables the nerves’ ability to transmit pain signals to the brain, providing relief that can last between one to two years. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated.
Dr. Anusha Karumuri, Consultant Interventional Pain Physician at KIMS, explained that the patient had previously undergone surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, which had saved her life. However, over time, small peripheral nerves in her abdomen became compressed—causing ongoing pain that extended to her thighs and significantly disrupted her sleep and daily life.
“These fine nerves were so small they didn’t appear on standard imaging scans, making diagnosis particularly challenging,” said Dr. Karumuri. “After a thorough evaluation by our pain management team, we pinpointed the nerves responsible. We initially administered a diagnostic injection to confirm the source of the pain, which provided temporary relief.”
Following this confirmation, KIMS sourced a specialized cryoablation machine from Delhi to perform the procedure. Notably, KIMS is the first hospital across both Telugu-speaking states to offer this advanced pain management technology.
The cryoablation treatment resulted in approximately 90% pain relief for the patient, significantly improving her quality of life. This success marks a significant step forward in managing complex nerve-related chronic pain using minimally invasive techniques.
The hospital's adoption of cryoablation technology reflects its commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions in pain management and interventional procedures, particularly for patients with conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat through conventional methods.