title: Baclofen pump intervention for spasticity affecting pulmonary function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muscle spasticity may adversely affect pulmonary function after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there is limited information regarding the treatment of spasticity as a determinant of pulmonary function. This study presents the case of a man with C4 tetraplegia who had severe spasticity and difficulty weaning from ventilatory support.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe spasticity likely contributed to respiratory compromise in this patient. Successful and rapid weaning from the ventilator occurred within 3 weeks of baclofen pump placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Randomized clinical trials among SCI patients with significant spasticity are needed to determine whether intervention with a baclofen pump facilitates earlier ventilatory weaning.
authors.affiliation: Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Specialist, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Box 359819, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. deanna@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones-Redmond
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Esselman
mesh_terms: D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen