Baclofen pump intervention for spasticity affecting pulmonary function

• Published in: The journal of spinal cord medicine Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 343 - 347
• Main Authors: Britton, Deanna, Goldstein, Barry, Jones-Redmond, Jill, Esselman, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England American Paraplegia Society 2005
• Subjects: Baclofen - administration & dosage; Baclofen - pharmacology; Baclofen - therapeutic use; Case Report; Humans; Infusion Pumps, Implantable; Injections, Spinal - methods; Lung - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Relaxants, Central - administration & dosage; Muscle Relaxants, Central - pharmacology; Muscle Relaxants, Central - therapeutic use; Muscle Spasticity - drug therapy; Muscle Spasticity - physiopathology; Quadriplegia - drug therapy; Quadriplegia - physiopathology; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Insufficiency - physiopathology; Respiratory Insufficiency - prevention & control; Time Factors; Ventilator Weaning - methods; Vital Capacity - drug effects; Vital Capacity - physiology
• ISSN: 1079-0268; 2045-7723
• DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2005.11753832

Muscle spasticity may adversely affect pulmonary function after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there is limited information regarding the treatment of spasticity as a determinant of pulmonary function. This study presents the case of a man with C4 tetraplegia who had severe spasticity and difficulty weaning from ventilatory support.
Case presentation.
Severe spasticity likely contributed to respiratory compromise in this patient. Successful and rapid weaning from the ventilator occurred within 3 weeks of baclofen pump placement.
Randomized clinical trials among SCI patients with significant spasticity are needed to determine whether intervention with a baclofen pump facilitates earlier ventilatory weaning.