Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol injection in the management of trigeminal neuralgia: long-term follow-up results.

The results in 122 patients with trigeminal neuralgia who underwent percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol injection are presented. Eighty patients were followed from 38 to 54 months. The recurrence rate at 54 months was 72% (Kaplan-Meier analysis), and the median pain-free interval was 32 months. Complications associated with the procedure were significantly high: 63% of the patients had definite hypesthesia of the face and 29% had unpleasant dysesthesias, including two cases of anesthesia dolorosa. Sensory disturbances were most frequent in patients who had received a previous alcohol block procedure. Among the patients without previous peripheral procedures, 50% developed sensory disturbances. Because of the high rates of recurrence and sensory disturbances, the authors prefer microvascular decompression for the management of trigeminal neuralgia.