EPILEPTIC SEIZURES ASSOCIATED WITH INTRATHECAL BACLOFEN APPLICATION

We report the clinical and EEG findings in three patients presenting w ith seizures associated with intrathecal baclofen application for trea tment of spasticity. All patients had a history of traumatic brain inj ury, while one patient also suffered a spinal cord injury. Two patient s experienced their first seizure following intrathecal baclofen test bolus injection. Another patient had convulsions on two occasions: fol lowing postoperative baclofen dose adjustment, and after sleep depriva tion. Structural brain disease seems prerequisite for baclofen to exer t epileptogenic activity, since seizures have not occurred in patients receiving intrathecal baclofen for spasticity of solely spinal origin . Antiepileptic medication permitted the continuation of intrathecal b aclofen treatment in the three patients.