Retro-Gasserian glycerol injection in the treatment of chronic cluster headache.
Seven therapy-resistant patients with cluster headache (six of whom were chronic) were treated by percutaneous retro-Gasserian glycerol injections under general anesthesia. In four of the patients immediate and complete relief of attacks was obtained. There was a close correlation between pain relief and the degree of ophthalmic sensory loss. Quantitative estimation of thresholds for thermal perception and pain showed a good correlation to clinically evaluated sensory loss. As the analgesia waned, headaches returned, and the glycerol injections had to be repeated. Two patients were still considerably improved after 5 1/2 and nearly 3 years, respectively. In the other patients the results were less satisfactory at long-term follow-up study. Pure glycerol is highly hypertonic, and the damage of the trigeminal nerve root may be due to this property.
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000628:therapy*; D005145:Face / Q000294:innervation; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion; D014653:Vascular Headaches / Q000628:therapy*
D005990:Glycerol