Interaction of ventriculoperitoneal shunt and baclofen pump

Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Infection With Meningitis: Effective Treatment by Radical Debridement and Intrareservoir Baclofen-Vancomycin Co-Infusion

OBJECTIVES

Intrathecal baclofen pump associated central nervous system (CNS) infection and meningitis is a rare but serious complication and may have dire consequences. Due to bacterial biofilm formation, the optimal treatment strategy is usually for removal of the pump, followed by systemic antibiotics for treatment of local and CNS infection. We describe this case of a patient with recurrent Staphylococcus aureus pump site empyema and meningitis leading to status dystonicus, who was successfully managed with radical debridement and intrareservoir baclofen-vancomycin co-infusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively report a case of infected intrathecal baclofen pump with meningitis and provide a full review of literature.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intrathecal baclofen (ITB)-associated pump site empyema and meningitis successfully treated with this technique. In selected cases where surgical explantation is deemed not feasible, this method can provide clinicians with an additional option for pump salvage and retention, while eradicating CNS infection and maintaining optimal control of spasticity and dystonia.

Complications After Dual Placement of a Baclofen Pump and Ventricular Shunt in Individuals With Severe Brain Injury

Objective

To assess the complications of dual placement of an intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in people with severe brain injury.

Design

Case series.

Setting

Referral center, ambulatory, and hospitalized care.

Participants

Referred sample (N=9) composed of 5 men and 4 women with severe brain injuries (5 traumatic brain injuries, 3 subarachnoid hemorrhages, 1 intracerebral hemorrhage) and a mean disease duration of 6±4.5 years (range, 0.5-11.4y).

Intervention

Both systems (ie, an ITB device and a VPS system) were implanted in all participants.

Main Outcome Measures

We assessed the number and type of complications that occurred after implantation of the second system, as well as subsequent interventions.

Results

The ITB delivery system was implanted after the VPS system in 5 patients (ITB group), and the VPS system was the second implanted system in 4 groups (VPS group). Seven complications occurred in 7 patients after implantation of the second system, 4 in the ITB group and 3 in the VPS group. Three of the complications were drug-related, 2 were procedure-related, and 2 were device-related. The complication occurred within 4 days after implantation of the second system in 6 patients.

Conclusions

Complications are frequent in patients who undergo implantation of both an ITB delivery device and a VPS system. Drug-related complications were more common. Complications occurred more often when an ITB device was implanted as the second system. The critical period is the first 4 days.

Shunt Devices for Neurointensivists: Complications and Management

Cerebrospinal fluid diversion has become the mainstay treatment in hydrocephalus for over 50 years. As the number of patients with ventricular shunt systems increases, neurointensivists are becoming the first-line physicians for many of these patients. When symptoms of a shunt malfunction are suspected and access to a neurosurgeon is limited or delayed, workup and temporizing measures must be initiated. The article highlights the functional nuances, complications, and management of current programmable shunt valves and their MRI sensitivity.

Consensus on the appropriate use of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in paediatric spasticity

Among features of motor disorders in children, spasticity is associated with considerable morbidity and problems in care, particularly in severely affected patients. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) has been increasingly used as a relatively specific treatment modality for spasticity. To date, most of the evidence for its use in paediatric patients has come from retrospective and uncontrolled studies, although randomised, controlled trials of screening ITB and ITB therapy itself have recently been published. This consensus statement on the use of ITB in paediatric patients with spasticity was developed on the basis of currently available evidence, with the aim of providing information for clinicians, promoting an expert opinion and a consistent approach to the management of these patients and emphasising the need for further prospective, large-scale studies.