Dysesthesia perceived as painful spasticity: A report of 3 cases

Lesions of the central nervous system often involve the pyramidal tracts an d the sensory pathways to produce spasticity, paresthesias, and dysesthesia . Three patients with intractable spasticity were treated with intrathecal baclofen. Two had an implanted Medtronic SynchroMed pump for long-term deli very of the muscle relaxant. The third patient had undergone a screening tr ial in which the baclofen was delivered into the intrathecal space through a lumbar catheter. All had excellent relief of spasms on clinical examinati on, but they reported painful spasms particularly at night. Two of the pati ents were successfully treated for dysesthesia.