Volume maximised glycerol rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia: a single centre analysis of outcomes.

Abstract

37 procedures were carried out for typical trigeminal neuralgia, 13 for secondary trigeminal neuralgia, and 3 for atypical trigeminal neuralgia. Overall, pain freedom was achieved in 85% cases, and 92% in patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia. Median duration of pain freedom in patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia was 63 months, versus 6 months in those with secondary trigeminal neuralgia (p < 0.00001). 14 procedures (26.4%) resulted in mild and temporary complications. 54.7% of cases experienced hypoaesthesia in a distribution similar to or less extensive than the distribution of trigeminal neuralgia. The presence of hypoaesthesia post-procedure was highly predictive of longer pain freedom (95 months versus 8 months median pain freedom (p = 0.00003)).