Deep venous thrombosis as a result of hypotonia secondary to intrathecal baclofen therapy: a case report.

Abstract

After repair of the catheter of an implanted intrathecal baclofen (ITB) delivery system, a 17-year-old man with cerebral palsy developed acute lower-extremity hypotonia. Subsequently, he complained of right lower-extremity pain followed by swelling in the popliteal fossa. Doppler studies showed a thrombus extending from the femoral vein to the popliteal vein with probable extension into the distal portion of the leg. Deep vein thrombosis, an uncommon event in children, has not been reported previously as a complication of acute hypotonicity and immobilization associated with ITB, regardless of age. Clinicians caring for children being treated with ITB should be alert to this potential complication so that early diagnostic and treatment measures can be provided. In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to consider prophylaxis against thrombosis.

• Authors: Nancy A Murphy
• Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 83 Issue 9 Pg. 1311-2 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0003-9993 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12235615 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Muscle Relaxants, Central
• Baclofen

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Baclofen (adverse effects)
• Cerebral Palsy (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Injections, Spinal (adverse effects, instrumentation)
• Leg (blood supply)
• Male
• Muscle Hypotonia (chemically induced, complications)
• Muscle Relaxants, Central (adverse effects)
• Ultrasonography
• Venous Thrombosis (diagnostic imaging, etiology)