Intravenous diazepam infusion in the management of planned intrathecal baclofen withdrawal

Abstract

Intrathecal baclofen is used in the management of spasticity associated with cerebral palsy (CP). Sudden cessation of intrathecal baclofen may give rise to the potentially life-threatening baclofen withdrawal syndrome. We report three cases in which intravenous diazepam is used effectively in the management of planned intrathecal withdrawal. All three patients had CP. In the first patient, a 19-year-old male with quadriplegia, the intrathecal catheter had to be removed. The other two patients, an 11-year-old female with diplegia and a 16-year-old male with quadriplegia, both required the entire device to be removed. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the potential management for elective cases in a similar situation.