Occipital Cryoneurolysis

Occipital cryoneurolysis is a procedure for relieving nerve pain from the occipital nerves, as in occipital neuralgia, by placing a needle sized probe next to the affected nerve. After confirming the probe's position by stimulating the nerve, the tip is cooled with nitrous oxide to between about minus fifty and minus seventy degrees Celsius, forming an ice ball around the nerve that blocks pain signals while leaving the nerve itself intact, so that it returns to normal function once the effect wears off. Complications are uncommon but can include soreness, nerve trauma that worsens pain or reduces nerve function, and infection or bleeding at the site.