Intrathecal baclofen for childhood hypertonia.
BACKGROUND
Intrathecal baclofen was first introduced in 1985 to manage childhood hypertonia. There has been an evolution in thought as to how candidates should be identified and what forms of hypertonia respond to this treatment.


OBJECTIVE
This manuscript reviews the pharmacology of the drug, the assessment of candidates, the implantation of the infusion pump, and the usual doses delivered. Side effects and complications are reviewed as are outcomes.
Albright
A Leland
AL
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin Health Center, Room K4-836, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792, USA. l.albright@neurosurg.wisc.edu
D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010372:Pediatrics
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen