Intrathecal baclofen for stiff-person syndrome: life-threatening intermittent catheter leakage

Neurology. 2003 Jun 24;60(12):1976-8. doi: 10.1212/wnl.60.12.1976.

Abstract

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is used for unresponsiveness to other treatment for patients with stiff-person syndrome (SPS). The authors report a patient with SPS who developed acute and life-threatening baclofen withdrawal symptoms. Open surgery disclosed a small position-dependent leak in the catheter connector. This catheter failure was not detected by standard noninvasive checking methods.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Baclofen / administration & dosage
  • Baclofen / adverse effects*
  • Baclofen / therapeutic use
  • Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Equipment Failure
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Injections, Spinal / instrumentation
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / chemically induced
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / administration & dosage
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / adverse effects*
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use
  • Spasm / chemically induced*
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / etiology*
  • Tachycardia / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Baclofen