Introduction While epidural blood patch can be an effective management option in lumbar pseudomeningoceles in certain clinical settings, its utility in the cervical spine is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous aspiration and autologous blood patch for post-operative durotomy related pseudomeningoceles within the cervical spine. Methods A single institution retrospective review detailing 3 patients with durotomy related pseudomeningocele following posterior cervical spine surgery was completed. Results In all three cases, aspiration with subsequent injection of autologous epidural blood patch successfully treated each pseudomeningocele. One patient required more than one intervention, while the other two were successfully treated after one procedure. All three patients improved clinically without need for additional surgery. Conclusion Percutaneous aspiration and epidural blood patch can be used to safely manage post-operative pseudomeningoceles within the posterior cervical spine.

Background: Facial palsy patients experience an array of problems ranging from functional to psychological issues. With regard to the eye, lacrimation, lagophthalmos, and the inability to spontaneously blink are the main symptoms and, if left untreated, can compromise the cornea and vision. This article reports the outcomes of 23 free functional vascularized platysma transfers used for reanimation of the eye in unilateral facial paralysis. Methods: Data were collected prospectively for all patients undergoing reanimation of the paralyzed eye using free functional platysma transfer. The only exclusion criterion was that a minimum of a 2-year follow-up was required. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and scored using the eFACE tool focusing on eye-symmetry with documentation of blink reflex. Results: A total of 26 free functional platysma transfers were completed between 2011 and 2018; three patients were excluded because of inadequate follow-up. The mean age was 9.1 ± 7.1 years and there were 12 boys and 11 girls. Preoperatively, no patients had evidence of a blink reflex in comparison to 22 patients at 2-year follow-up. There was a statistically significant improvement in palpebral fissure (P < 0.001) and full eye closure (P < 0.001) scores at 2-year follow-up; however, there was no statistically significant difference in gentle eye closure (P = 0.15). Conclusions: This is the first report of free functional platysma long-term outcomes in eye reanimation. The results demonstrate that successful restoration of the blink reflex can be achieved and full eye closure is obtainable following surgery. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Purpose: The aim was to determine the impact of steroid dose on effectiveness of CT-guided pudendal nerve blocks. Secondary aim was to assess predictors for response. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Two-hundred-and-seventeen patients with pudendal neuralgia were identified. Of these, 189 patients had data on response and 511 pudendal nerve blocks were analyzed. Demographics, social history, initial pain data, treatment data including steroid dosing, and follow-up data were collected. Non-responders to treatment were compared to responders. Results: The majority of patients were female (92.1%) and most common areas of pain involved the vulva/labia/ perineum/vagina (scrotum) (44.2%). Treatment response rates increased with number of blocks with maximum response rate of 92.2% after fourth injection. Responders underwent more blocks within the first year (3.1 ± 1.5 vs 2.6 ± 1.6, p = 0.026). Steroid dose did not have a significant effect on response rate nor did site of injection. Non-responders were more commonly on disability due to pain ( p = 0.043). History of childhood/adolescent sexual abuse was more common in non-responders (p=0.046) and was a significant predictor of response (OR = 0.27 [0.08–0.94 95% confidence interval], p = 0.04). Conclusion: Steroid dose does not appear to have an impact on the short-term response rates to CT-guided pudendal nerve blocks in patients with clinically diagnosed pudendal neuralgia and our data may further support the discontinuation of steroids from CT block protocols. Current long-term disability leave status was a predictor of poor response along with history of childhood/adolescent sexual abuse. Adverse childhood events are easily assessed and may represent a clinical predictor of lack of response in this patient population. Clinical relevance: Approaches to managing pudendal neuralgia are varied. Steroid dose may not impact response to pudendal nerve blocks. Current disability status and history of childhood/adolescent sexual abuse may be clinical predictors of poor response to treatment.