Intrathecal baclofen for dystonia: Benefits and complications during six years of experience

Fourteen patients with primary or secondary dystonia received intrathecal b aclofen (ITB) through an implanted pump following a trial dose. Patients we re selected for ITB trial if they had clinically unsatisfactory responses t o oral antidystonic medications, including oral baclofen. Patients were rat ed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden rating scale by a blinded rater after the d ose of ITB was optimized. Five patients experienced improvement in symptoms as determined by a change in rating scale scores, although only two had a clear clinical benefit. Etiology of dystonia did not determine the efficacy of ITB therapy, as benefit or failure was seen in both primary and seconda ry dystonia.