title: Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy for the Treatment of Spasticity in Lithuania.
abstract: Spasticity of cerebral or spinal origin severely impairs an individual's functional ability and quality of life. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy via an implantable pump is indicated for use in patients unresponsive to oral antispasmodics. ITB therapy improves the daily caring for and relief of painful spasms. In Lithuania, ITB therapy was introduced in clinical practice just recently. We share our experience of spasticity management with the ITB pump system in five patients at Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos. Four patients had spastic tetraplegia associated with cerebral palsy, and one patient developed spastic paraplegia after a spinal epidural abscess.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Neurosurgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Robertas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kvascevicius
authors.affiliation: Centre of Neurosurgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Ona
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lapteva
authors.affiliation: Centre of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jurate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kesiene
authors.affiliation: Centre of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Pain Management, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Alfredas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaitkus
authors.affiliation: Child Development Centre, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Laima
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mikulenaite
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Ramunas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raugalas
authors.affiliation: Centre of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Pain Management, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jurate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sipylaite
authors.affiliation: Centre of Neurosurgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Saulius
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rocka
authors.affiliation: Centre of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Alvydas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juocevicius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009187:Myelitis / Q000209:etiology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen