Etymed
cryotherapy
Definition
Treatment with extreme cold, typically using liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic substances to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue or cells
Clinical context
A 35-year-old patient presents with multiple warts on the hands that have not responded to conventional treatments. The dermatologist decides to use cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the viral warts. A few days later, the treated areas form blisters and crust over as the abnormal tissue is destroyed.
Mnemonic
COLD treatment for abnormal tissue - Cryo means cold, therapy means treatment, and the frozen tissue dies