Problems with retrogasserian glycerol in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Following glycerol injections for trigeminal neuralgia. Håkanson, Lunsford, Apfelbaum, Beck and Lobosky and Dieckmann, among others, report that few patients have sensory loss and dysesthesia and a high percentage have sustained gratifying relief. Such was not our experience or that of Laitinen, Price, Siegfried, or Takusagawa, among others. Our own disappointing results re initial failures to achieve relief, significant sensory loss including corneal anesthesia and some dysesthesias in 77 patients are described.