Radioisotopic control for baclofen pump catheter failure

Spinal Cord. 2001 May;39(5):283-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.sc.3101142.

Abstract

Study design: Case report of Baclofen pump catheter failure investigated by radioisotope injection.

Objectives: To report a safe and reliable method for evaluating catheter dysfunction.

Setting: France.

Methods: Single case report of failure of Baclofen pump investigated by radioisotope injection.

Results: The injection demonstrated the block in the catheter. The catheter failure was not visualised by plain X-ray nor by filling the pump with radio-opaque solution.

Conclusion: Catheter failure is a common cause of intrathecal drug delivery problems and may be difficult to diagnose. When catheter disconnection, kink, or dislodgement is not visible on X-ray, radioisotopic control is a safe and reliable method for assessment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Baclofen / administration & dosage*
  • Equipment Failure
  • Humans
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Muscle Spasticity / complications
  • Muscle Spasticity / diagnosis
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*
  • Paraplegia / complications
  • Paraplegia / diagnosis
  • Paraplegia / drug therapy*
  • Radioisotopes
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Radioisotopes
  • Baclofen