OBJECTIVEA common cause of peroneal neuropathy is compression near the fibular head. Studies demonstrate excellent outcomes after decompression but include few cases (range 15–60 patients). Consequently, attempts to define predictors of good outcomes are limited. Here, the authors combine their institutional outcomes with those in the literature to identify predictors of good outcomes after peroneal nerve decompression.METHODSThe authors searched their institutional electronic medical records to identify all peroneal nerve decompressions performed in the period between December 1, 2012, and September 30, 2016, and created an IRB-approved database. They also conducted a MEDLINE and literature search to identify articles discussing surgical decompression. All data were combined by meta-analysis to identify the factors associated with a favorable outcome, which was defined as improvement in preoperative symptoms. Patients were analyzed in the aggregate and by presentation (pain, paresthesias, weakness, foot drop). The factors evaluated included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, smoking status, previous knee or lumbar spine surgery, preoperative symptom duration, and etiology. A meta-analysis was completed for any factor evaluated in at least three data sets.RESULTSTwenty-one institutional cases had sufficient data for review. The follow-up among this group was long: median 29 months, range 12–52 months. On aggregate analysis of the data, only diabetes was significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes after decompression (p = 0.05). A trend toward worse outcomes was seen in smokers presenting with pain (p = 0.06). Outcomes were not affected by presentation.An additional 115 cases in the literature had extractable data for meta-analysis, and other associations were seen. Preoperative symptom duration longer than 12 months was associated with unfavorable outcomes (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08–0.65). Patients presenting with paresthesias or hypesthesia demonstrated a trend toward more unfavorable outcomes when operated on more than 6 months after symptom onset (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.13–1.06). Even after the meta-analysis, outcomes did not vary with an advanced age (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.24–1.98) or with patient sex (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.42–3.06).CONCLUSIONSThe authors provide their institutional data in combination with published data regarding outcomes after peroneal nerve decompression. Outcomes are typically favorable and generally unaffected by the type of symptoms preoperatively, especially if the patient is nondiabetic and preoperative symptom duration is less than 12 months. Patients with paresthesias may benefit from surgery within 6 months after onset. Smoking may adversely affect surgical outcomes. Finally, an advanced age does not adversely affect outcomes, and older patients should be considered for surgery.

BACKGROUND Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a well-recognized facial pain syndrome. Discrete forms with disparate pain symptoms include TN1 and TN2, however, atypical facial pain includes neuralgiform pain along a spectrum. The majority of TN is diagnosed in the adult population. Case reports and series in children present TN as a similar diagnosis which can be similarly treated as in adults. This manuscript reviews pertinent literature and presents two pediatric TN cases successfully treated with microvascular decompression (MVD). CASE DESCRIPTION Two pediatric patients (ages 12 and 15) were identified with TN that was refractory to previous medical therapy. The patients were both deemed appropriate surgical candidates and were treated with MVD to manage their TN. TN compression was arterial in both cases and involved portions of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Patient 1 was found to be pain-free 6 months following the procedure. Patient 2 was pain-free immediately following the procedure and has since been weaned off preoperative symptomatic management. The most recent follow-up is 12 and 8 months, respectively, with continued pain freedom. CONCLUSIONS There are few reports on the effectiveness of MVD in the pediatric population for the management of TN. Supporting literature, as well as the cases presented, demonstrate that MVD is an effective treatment for pediatric patients in managing their TN. Furthermore, there appears to be minimal side effects, with excellent pain relief with MVD in this patient population.

Approximately 1% of injuries to bicyclists are associated with dogs; one-half sustained a bite. Potential/proposed prevention strategies could be educational materials regarding bicycles and dogs to owners, dog restraint, student/parent education and educational materials in waiting rooms of veterinarians, paediatricians, family practice physicians and emergency rooms.

Severe lower limb spasticity can hinder motor tasks and negatively impacts the quality of life in patients with cerebral palsy. Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a well-established neurosurgical intervention aimed at reducing muscle spasticity in patients with such neuromuscular conditions. Long-term outcomes of selective dorsal rhizotomy have been promising among the authors’ institutional series of patients. In this case, we demonstrate the use of L1-S1 osteoplastic laminoplasty and L1-S1 selective dorsal rhizotomy in a 5-year-old male patient with cerebral palsy and spastic lower extremity diplegia. Favorable selection criteria for this case included disabling lower extremity diplegia, young age, good core strength, no cognitive delay, and strong rehabilitation potential. The patient's preoperative functional status was noncommunity ambulator (Gross Motor Function Classification System Level III) with walker use and good dynamic balance. Prior to the procedure, he demonstrated an overall decreased muscle strength in bilateral lower extremities with bilateral hamstring spasticity (Ashworth 3) and bilateral heel cord spasticity (Ashworth 4). Rhizotomy was performed with identification and selective sectioning of dorsal nerve roots with abnormal stimulation patterns. Fibers with unsustained discharge of appropriate muscles were identified and spared. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The patient had minimal back pain and surgical morbidity postoperatively. Following the procedure and highly structured inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapies, the patient exhibited significant improvement in gait velocity (84%) and gait cadence (66%) at 5 months. Additionally, the patient demonstrated greater independence of activities of daily living and improvements in mobility by Pediatric Evaluation Disability Index. Patient consent was obtained from the parent.