Argon-helium cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment technique that utilizes the cooling effect generated by high-pressure argon gas expansion and the rewarming effect of helium gas to perform rapid deep-freezing and thawing cycles on tumor tissue. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles induce intracellular and extracellular ice crystal formation, cell membrane rupture, and microvascular thrombosis, ultimately leading to coagulative necrosis of the tumor tissue. One of the greatest advantages of this technique is that the ice-ball margin can be clearly visualized under CT or ultrasound guidance, allowing the ablation process to be highly precise and controllable.
During the procedure, under real-time imaging guidance, pencil-thin cryoprobes are percutaneously inserted into the tumor. High-pressure argon gas is then activated to rapidly lower the target temperature to below −140°C, forming an ice ball that encompasses the lesion. This is followed by active rewarming with helium gas to complete the freeze-thaw cycle. By combining multiple probes in different configurations, the shape of the ice ball can be precisely sculpted to closely conform to irregularly shaped tumors.
· Visualized ice-ball formation with precise margins: the margin of the ice ball clearly corresponds to the ablation zone, allowing real-time monitoring and minimizing injury to surrounding tissues.
· Minimal pain with excellent tolerability: the freezing process itself provides anesthetic and analgesic effects, allowing the procedure to be performed under local anesthesia, making it especially suitable for elderly or frail patients.
· Multi-probe combination with conformal ablation: flexible probe placement allows simultaneous treatment of multiple lesions or irregularly shaped tumors in a single session and may also stimulate antitumor immune responses.
It is widely used in the treatment of liver cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, as well as bone and soft tissue tumors. The technique is particularly suitable for lesions adjacent to the thoracic or abdominal wall, adrenal glands, and multiple metastatic tumors, making it an important component of the minimally invasive ablation system for solid tumors.
