Therapeutic Epidural Patch Versus Pain Block in the Midface for Headache

A Comparison of the Efficacy of Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block With 5% Lidocaine Versus Epidural Blood Patch (EBP) for the Treatment of Post-Dural Puncture Headache (PDPH)

The purpose of this study is to compare a pain block in the midface, versus the traditional, more invasive, therapeutic epidural patch for the treatment of headaches

The sphenopalatine nerve block has been used to treat headaches. Patients have headaches after epidural access from post dural puncture. We need to know if sphenopalatine nerve block will help the patient with the headache.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females ages 13-92
• Subjects have medical diagnosis of PDPH and require treatment
• Subjects who signed consent/assent

Exclusion Criteria:

• <13 years of age
• Pregnancy
• Subjects with heart failure
• Subjects already being treated with lidocaine patch or other vehicle for chronic pain
• Non-english speaking subjects
• Subjects with platelets <100,000
• Subjects that are septic
• Subjects with an allergy to lidocaine
• Subjects with known nasal polyps
• Subjects with recent neurological event
• Subjects on anticoagulant therapy
• Subjects that received prior therapy with SPG block or EBP