Meningitis due to oral streptococci following percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy of the trigeminal ganglion

Percutaneous rhizotomy of the trigeminal ganglion is an established technique in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. Meningitis has been reported as a complication of radiofrequency rhizotomy. We report two cases in which percutaneous glycerol injection of the trigeminal ganglion was followed by meningitis due to oral streptococci. While initial laboratory features might be considered consistent with meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, optimal therapy is likely to differ as a consequence of current antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.