The role of intrathecal baclofen in the management of primary and secondary dystonia in children

Abstract

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a well-established method of treating spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. In our series, eight children with primary or dystonia secondary to cerebral palsy have benefited from ITB. The observations in this paper are subjective and based on the carer's impressions, but have confirmed the role of ITB in dystonia. Children with dystonia secondary to cerebral palsy benefited most and ITB can be used in these as a single treatment modality. The approach is different in dystonia secondary to cerebral palsy, where ITB can be used to palliate the spastic component, but other methods are necessary to treat the primary disease. We currently have three children in our series, where ITB in conjunction with deep brain stimulation (DBS) was used with satisfactory results.

Key words:

• Children
• dystonia
• intrathecal baclofen