Summary

Breast cryoablation is a minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous procedure for the treatment of fibroadenomas and early-stage breast cancer that uses liquid nitrogen or argon gas to create extremely cold temperatures that devitalize targeted tissue. Although more long-term data are needed, this outpatient procedure is well-tolerated and carries minimal risks, including nontarget thermal injury that can be mitigated by careful planning and proper technique. Building a sustainable breast cryoablation service in a radiology practice poses several practical considerations, such as training proceduralists, purchasing equipment, recruiting patients, and understanding the revenue cycle. This Special Series Review describes aspects of the radiologist's role in this procedure, including implementation of a breast ablation program, patient selection, technical details related to intervention, and expected postprocedural outcomes.

▪ Breast cryoablation is an emerging, well-tolerated, minimally invasive, outpatient alternative to surgery for select patients with symptomatic fibroadenomas and early-stage breast cancer.
▪ Building a sustainable breast cryoablation service in a radiology practice poses practical considerations, including training proceduralists, purchasing equipment, recruiting patients, and understanding the revenue cycle.
▪ After the procedure, patients should be imaged routinely with a combination of ultrasound, mammography, and contrast-enhanced modalities. Radiologists should recognize a range of expected postprocedural outcomes.