CH138 Bologna Cryosurgery

Question 1

Cryoimmunology is the study of the innate and humoral immune responses to antigens derived from frozen skin lesions

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Cryotherapy refers to living tissue exposed to cold to induce tissue destruction

Answer 2

False - to induce physiological changes. Cryosurgery refers to tissue destruction

Question 3

Liquid nitrogen boils at -78C

Answer 3

False, this is nitrogen gas. Liquid nitrogen boils at -196C

Question 4

Freezing is slower with semi open technique than with the open technique

Answer 4

False- faster, as LN is confined to the lesion

Question 5

Semi-open technique can involve an otoscope specula or neoprene cones

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Intralesional cryotherapy was originally developed for warts

Answer 6

False - keloids

Question 7

Semi-closed or chamber technique should be reserved for skin cancers and cutaneous metastases

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Closed cryotherapy is delivered from the unit through metal probes in contact with the skin; whilst the remaining cryogen exits by way of a rubber releasing hose

Answer 8

True

Question 9

LN2 takes <1 month to heal on lower limbs

Answer 9

False >1 mo

Question 10

Indications for palliative cryotherapy include bedridden patients

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Cryosurgery palliatively has a goal to reduce pain, bleeding, infection, tissue destruction, foul smell +/- tumoral masses that cause personal and social rejection

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Eschar is an unexpected side effect of cryosurgery

Answer 12

False - expected after a week

Question 13

Urticarial reaction is a delayed side effect of LN2

Answer 13

False - immediate, and lasts minutes

Question 14

Eschars due to cryonecrosis should be debrided

Answer 14

True - to facilitate healing

Question 15

Alopecia can be a permanent complication of LN2

Answer 15

True

Question 16

Atrophic/depressed scars due to cryosurgery usually do not improve with time

Answer 16

False - usually do, but can be permanent particularly following deep freezing procedures

Question 17

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia occurring as a complication of cryosurgery resolves over time

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Milia can occur superficial freezing procedures

Answer 18

False - deep freezing procedures

Question 19

A further risk of cryosurgery is inadvertent freeze of medical personal from LN released from vent

Answer 19

True

Question 20

High frequency ultrasound ca be employed to determine width, depth and shape of tumours for selecting optimal cryo surgical technique

Answer 20

True

Question 21

High frequency ultrasound can be used to monitor freezing temperature —> reappearance of tumour is indicative of thawing

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Cryosurgery can be used in combination with imiquimod for locoregional cutaneous metastases of melanoma

Answer 22

True