Benefits of Temporary Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy: Management of Tone and Spasticity

Abstract

Background: Our objectives are to report the efficacy and safety of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy for the temporary treatment of spasticity and dystonia, and to illustrate the benefit of temporary ITB therapy while patients are in rehabilitation. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of three patients with spasticity and dystonia who were treated with ITB. All patients had their pump and catheter explanted after their movement disorder resolved and their abilities improved, and they were slowly weaned off ITB. Results: ITB therapy prevented the development of complications related to inadequately treated spasticity and dystonia. All patients improved clinically to the extent where the ITB could be tapered off and discontinued. Each patient had their pump and catheter hardware explanted successfully. Conclusions: ITB therapy is effective in decreasing complications associated with hypertonicity and spastic dystonia. Removal of hardware is feasible for patients with clinical improvement after careful, decreasing titration of baclofen thereby avoiding withdrawal symptoms.