Objective      To analyze the curative effect and related factors of percutaneous glycerol injection into Meckel’s cavity in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.       Methods      Clinical data of 4 873 patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated with percutaneous glycerol injection into Meckel’s cavityour in our department from December 1983 to June 2010 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Relationship between curative effect and various factors

such as symptoms

effectiveness of drugs

test method of successful puncture and whether the cerebrospinal fluid outflow

etc. were anlyzed.       Results      The immediate success rate of the procedure was 97.3%. Follow-up was carried out in 3 157 patients for 1 to 26 years. The long-term success rate was 83%. Recurrence rate was 16.9%. No serious adverse effect was observed. The analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the curative effect and factors such as symptoms

the effectiveness of drugs

test method of successful puncture

and whether the cerebrospinal fluid outflow. No severe complication was found during follow-up.       Conclusion      Percutaneous glycerol injection into Meckel’s cavity is a safe

minimally invasive

and effective method to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with typical symptoms

the effectiveness of drugs before surgery

test method of successful puncture

and the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow have good curative effect.