Baclofen toxicity in an 8-year-old with an intrathecal baclofen pump

J Emerg Med. 2004 Feb;26(2):163-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2003.07.009.

Abstract

Baclofen delivered by intrathecal pumps (ITB) is increasingly being utilized in the pediatric population, however, resources and education to support problems with these devices are limited. Typical management strategies for systemic baclofen overdose include removal of baclofen from the device reservoir or removal of cerebrospinal fluid from the adjacent device catheter. Appropriate care of these patients requires awareness of the clinical patterns of toxicity and mechanics of the ITB pump delivery system. This report describes the clinical presentation, unfamiliar dilemmas, and the management of a pediatric patient with intrathecal baclofen toxicity, noting problems that may arise in the care of these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Baclofen / administration & dosage*
  • Baclofen / poisoning*
  • Cerebral Palsy / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Drug Overdose / etiology
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure
  • Equipment Failure Analysis*
  • Humans
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable / adverse effects
  • Injections, Spinal / instrumentation*
  • Male
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / administration & dosage*
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / poisoning*
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy

Substances

  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Baclofen