Continuous intrathecal pump infusion of baclofen with antibiotic drugs fortreatment of pump-associated meningitis - Case report

Intrathecal baclofen administered by means of an implantable pump is being increasingly used for successful treatment of spasticity. Meningitis follow ing intrathecally administered baclofen is a rare but serious complication that is difficult to treat without removal of the pump. Because success rat es with intravenously administered antibiotic drugs for the treatment of me ningitis have been low, intrathecal administration of antibiotic agents is often required to eradicate the pathogen. The authors report the case of a patient in whom Staphylococcus epidermidis meningitis developed after inser tion of an intrathecal baclofen pump. The patient was successfully treated by intrathecal coadministration of vancomycin and baclofen.