Bladder stones - red herring for resurgence of spasticity in a spinal cord injury patient with implantation of Medtronic Synchromed pump for intrathecal delivery of baclofen - a case report

Intrathecal Therapies

Intrathecal baclofen therapy is a well-established technique for spasticity management. This article briefly reviews the pharmacology of intrathecal baclofen as well as customary approach for utilization of this targeted drug delivery concept. Following these descriptions, four unusual presentations will be described, including the need for initial trialing, patient-directed boluses during chronic intrathecal baclofen therapy, use of medications other than baclofen for intrathecal therapy in spastic patients, and intraventricular baclofen delivery. These hypothetical cases are provided in an effort to expand the use of targeted drug delivery to larger population of spastic patients.

Safety and efficacy of intrathecal drug delivery for pain

SUMMARY The practice of delivering analgesic drugs into the intrathecal space has evolved over the past several decades from a ‘last-ditch’ therapy for intractable pain in patients with terminal cancer to a more widely applied strategy for treating patients with chronic nonmalignant pain as well. This review discusses the available safety and efficacy data of intrathecal drug delivery with a focus on device- and user-related safety issues.

Normalization of central cord syndrome spinal cord injury urodynamics after intrathecal baclofen therapy: a case report

Objective. To report a case of improved urodynamics in a central cord syndrome spinal cord injury after intrathecal baclofen therapy. Methods. A 47-year-old man fell resulting in C4-C5 disc herniation with ventral spinal cord compression and cord edema. Results. He underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Postoperatively, his examination revealed a C4 ASIA D injury in a central cord syndrome pattern. Cystometrogram (CMG) revealed a hyperactive detrusor with sphincter dyssynergia managed with intermittent self-catheterization. One and a half years later, he was impaired by severe lower limb spasticity, despite oral medications and botulinum toxin injections. After intrathecal pump therapy, CMG revealed relatively normal detrusor and minimal sphincter tone. He volitionally voids with urgency but improved continence, which was maintained in one-year follow-up. Conclusion. Although the main indication for intrathecal baclofen therapy is spasticity, improved urodynamics can be an additional benefit in central cord syndrome spinal cord injury.