Complications associated with peripheral alcohol injections in the management of trigeminal neuralgia.

A retrospective study was carried out on 82 patients whose symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia were controlled by repeated peripheral alcohol nerve blocks in order to assess the associated complications. Peripheral alcohol nerve blocks were invariably associated with swelling and discomfort lasting several days. Significant complications occurred in 3 out of 413 nerve blocks administered over a 20-year period.