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Cryoablation: History, Mechanism of Action, and Guidance Modalities

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Tumor Ablation

Abstract

Cold temperatures have been used to decrease inflammation and relieve pain since the time of the ancient Egyptians. James Arnott (1797–1883), an English physician, is credited with being the first to use cold to destroy tissue, using a combination of ice and salt to produce tissue necrosis (1). Because this cryogen needed to be applied topically to tumors, he was able to treat only tumors of the cervix and breast; he reported decreases in tumor size and palliation of pain in patients treated by cryoablation (1).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    Sharon M. Weber MD (Associate Professor)

  2. Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Madison, MI, USA

    Fred T. Lee Jr. MD (Professor of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Chief)

Authors
  1. Sharon M. Weber MD
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  2. Fred T. Lee Jr. MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Eric vanSonnenberg MD (Chief of Radiology, Interventional Radiologist) (Chief of Radiology, Interventional Radiologist)

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Eric vanSonnenberg MD (Chief of Radiology, Interventional Radiologist) (Chief of Radiology, Interventional Radiologist)

  3. Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    William N. McMullen (Interventional Oncology Consultant) (Interventional Oncology Consultant)

  4. Department of Radiology, Ospedale Civile Busto Arsizio, 21052, Busto Arsizio, Italy

    Luigi Solbiati MD (Chairman) (Chairman)

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Weber, S.M., Lee, F.T. (2005). Cryoablation: History, Mechanism of Action, and Guidance Modalities. In: vanSonnenberg, E., McMullen, W.N., Solbiati, L., Livraghi, T., Müeller, P.R., Silverman, S.G. (eds) Tumor Ablation. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-28674-8_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-28674-8_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-95539-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-28674-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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