Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate over 10 years the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation for the treatment of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of literature published between March 2014 and March 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on treatment efficacy studies, while exclusion criteria targeted case reports and studies lacking pertinent outcome data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. RESULTS: A total of eight studies were included. Local pain scores decreased from a median of 8/10 (interquartile range (IQR) 7-9) on the visual analog scale to 1/10 (IQR 0-2) at the last follow-up (p < 0.0001). Median complete local pain response rates ranged from 80% to 100%, with median local pain-free survival rates reaching 76.8% (IQR 55.3-83.8) at the longest follow-up. Notably, no patient reported a post-procedure pain score higher than that they reported pre-cryoablation. The studies indicated minor complications in 3.5 to 11% of cases, with major complications occurring in less than 2% of cases, graded following the guidelines of the Society of Interventional Radiology. CONCLUSION: In the last decade, percutaneous image-guided cryoablation has offered consistent results and appears to be a promising, minimally invasive option for AWE treatment. Prospective trials are now essential to establish cryoablation as a new standard in patient care for AWE. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Over a decade-long study, percutaneous cryoablation has proven to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for abdominal wall endometriosis, significantly reducing pain with minimal complications. KEY POINTS: Percutaneous cryoablation significantly reduced local pain scores for abdominal wall endometriosis. The procedure demonstrated a favorable safety profile with minor complications. Cryoablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional treatments.