Prospective assessment of continuous intrathecal infusion of baclofen for spasticity caused by acquired brain injury: a preliminary report

• Published in: Journal of neurosurgery Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 415 - 419
• Main Authors: MEYTHALER, J. M, MCCARY, A, HADLEY, M. N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Park Ridge, IL American Association of Neurological Surgeons 01-09-1997
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Baclofen - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Injuries - complications; Female; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Injections, Spinal; Male; Medical sciences; Muscle; Muscle Relaxants, Central - administration & dosage; Muscle Spasticity - drug therapy; Muscle Spasticity - etiology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Human; Nervous system diseases; Muscle relaxant; Craniocerebral; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Spasticity; Muscle tonus alteration; Trauma; Intrathecal administration; Pump; Cerebral disorder; Continuous process; Striated muscle disease; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Antispasmodic agent; Implanted; Central nervous system disease; Young adult; Baclofen; Skull disease; Complication; Neurological disorder
• ISSN: 0022-3085; 1933-0693
• DOI: 10.3171/jns.1997.87.3.0415

Twelve consecutive patients with severe spasticity and hypertonia following acquired brain injury were treated with continuous intrathecal infusion of baclofen via an implanted, programmable infusion pump-catheter system for a minimum of 3 months. In every case intrathecal baclofen therapy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in upper- and lower-extremity tone, spasm frequency, and reflexes, contributing to improved functional abilities. There were no untoward side effects or complications associated with treatment. This preliminary assessment indicates that intrathecal administration of baclofen is effective in treating the disabling spasticity caused by acquired brain injury in selected patients.