Home Forums CRYOTHERAPY: Actinic keratosis lesions

Pre-malignant lesion (actinic keratosis) identified above were destroyed using liquid nitrogen with three freeze-thaw cycles. # lesions were destroyed in this manner. Explained to patient that other options included excisional biopsy or observation, or 5-fluorouracil treatment. %MR %LNAME opted for destruction with liquid nitrogen. Risks of scarring, incomplete destruction were explained to patient. %HE understands the risks and benefits. Repeat treatments may be required if there is incomplete resolution.

Here is one I use: Verbal informed consent obtained, and specifically we discussed the risks of bleeding, infection, pain, and the need for repeat procedure(s) if lesion fails to resolve. Patient understands and consents to procedure. In usual fashion, lesions were frozen with liquid nitrogen with 1mm border and allowed to thaw for 1 and 1/2 minutes before being refrozen with again a 1 mm border. Wound instruction and signs/symptoms of infection discussed. No complications and patient tolerated procedure well. Eval in 2 weeks, to monitor progress or the need for biopsy.