Significant Improvement of Spasticity with Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Implantation in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis
Jae-Won Hyun, MD1, Su-Hyun Kim, MD1, In Hye Jeong, MD1, Jae-Hyun Kim, MD2, Dae Hyun Kim, MD, PhD2, Ho Jin Kim, MD, PhD1
Department of 1Neurology & 2Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
Spasticity is one of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that increasingly impairs function and
quality of life as the disease progresses. It is a complex problem that can lead to disability and secondary
complications such as pressure sores and contractures. Therapeutic options include oral medications,
but these have limited effectiveness and often cause side effects that limit dose titration. In
carefully selected patients, intrathecal baclofen can reduce spasticity and improve patient function
and comfort with fewer side effects than oral medications. Herein, we describe a patient with MS
whose symptoms of spasticity improved remarkably following intrathecal baclofen pump implantation.
This article illustrates that intrathecal baclofen pump implantation is a useful symptomatic treatment
choice in MS patients with severe spasticity.
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis 6(2):40-43, 2015