A novel cause of intrathecal baclofen overdosage: lessons to be learnt

Abstract

Case presentation: A serious intrathecal baclofen overdose occurred in a 45-year-old woman with primary progressive multiple sclerosis following a catheter dye study with concomitant change in baclofen concentration. The pump and catheter were emptied of baclofen 2000 μg/mL, refilled and primed with baclofen 1000 μg/mL. No correction was made for the `dead space' between the reservoir and catheter access port, which contained baclofen 2000 μg/mL. Failure of the priming bolus to account for the residual baclofen concentration within the dead space resulted in a serious overdose.

Action: Amendments are being made to both our local and the Medtronic protocols.

Conclusion: We hope that by reporting this incident the risk of this potentially fatal error re-occurring is minimized.

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