RETROGASSERIAN GLYCEROL RHIZOTOMY AND ITS SELECTIVITY IN THE TREATMENT OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

In the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, the possibility of obtaining a selective effect on different trigeminal branches by glycerol rhizo tomy was studied. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation was used to qu antify sensory impairment. An attempt was made to obtain a localized n eurotoxic effect of the glycerol on the different trigeminal branches by keeping the patient's head in different positions during and for on e hour after glycerol injection. The amount of glycerol injected varie d according to the estimated size of the trigeminal cistern and/or to which branch that was involved. The study demonstrated a highly select ive effect on the ophthalmic branch, less selective on the maxillary, and a low selective effect on the mandibular branch. However, the clin ical results were equal regardless of the affected trigeminal division .