Retrogasserian glycerol injection or percutaneous stimulation in the treatment of typical and atypical trigeminal pain.

Of 164 patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated by percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol injections, we have studied the long-term outcome (one to four years) of 72 patients. 51 patients suffered from idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, and of these 92% were freed from pain by the operation. 21 patients suffered from symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia due to multiple sclerosis or of traumatic or infectious origin. Of these, only 38% became free of pain. A further 8 patients with facial deafferentation pain who underwent treatment by retrogasserian neurostimulation with a permanently implanted electrode were included in this study. 4 of these patients were rendered free of pain by this procedure.