Midthoracic catheter tip placement for intrathecal baclofen administration in children with quadriparetic spasticity.
OBJECTIVE
In an effort to increase the effect of intrathecal baclofen on upper-extremity spasticity, the tip of the intrathecal catheter was placed at the T6-T7 level rather than at the traditional T11-T12 level in children with spastic quadriparesis.


METHODS
Twelve children with spastic quadriparesis from varying causes had significant reductions in spasticity after a test dose of intrathecal baclofen and subsequently underwent placement of a programmable pump and intrathecal catheter tip placed at the T6-T7 level with fluoroscopic guidance. With the use of Ashworth scores for four muscle groups in both the upper and lower extremities, degrees of spasticity were determined by a physiatrist preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mean changes in upper- and lower-extremity Ashworth scores and baclofen dosages for the entire cohort were compared with published results in which the catheter tip had been placed at the T11-T12 level.


RESULTS
Spasticity was significantly reduced in all muscle groups (P < 0.001). The lower-extremity reduction in spasticity of 1.6 points at 3 and 12 months was greater than published reductions of 1.1 points at 3 and 12 months. The upper-extremity reduction in spasticity was noticeably greater at 3 and 12 months (1.7 and 2.0 points, respectively) than published results at 3 and 12 months (0.4 and 0.6 points, respectively). At 3, 6, and 12 months, our mean baclofen dosage remained below the dosages administered at the T11-T12 level. There were no complications related either to the positioning of the catheter higher in the spinal canal or to the administration of baclofen at the T6-T7 level.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with published results, placement of the tip of the intrathecal catheter at the T6-T7 level was associated with greater relief of upper-extremity spasticity without loss of effect on the lower extremities. The mean dosages of baclofen in our study group were lower compared with mean dosages administered at the T11-T12 level. There was no morbidity related to the more rostral location of the catheter.
Grabb
P A
PA
Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Guin-Renfroe
S
S
Meythaler
J M
JM
D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen