Potential complications of posterior spine fusion and instrumentation in patients with cerebral palsy treated with intrathecal baclofen infusion.

STUDY DESIGN

The authors evaluated a case series of 5 patients with cerebral palsy and a previously placed subcutaneous reservoir for continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion to control spasticity who underwent spinal arthrodesis with posterior instrumentation for progressive neuromuscular scoliosis deformities.

OBJECTIVES

To present our preliminary experience and complications with posterior spine fusion in patients with cerebral palsy and continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion and provide a literature review.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Numerous studies have reported complications associated with intrathecal baclofen infusion, many of these catheter-related. Few reports address complications associated with the intrathecal baclofen infusion, including progressive spinal deformities and complications following spinal arthrodesis.

METHODS

Five patients with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy had spine fusions for progressive neuromuscular scoliosis. The mean age at surgery was 14.5 years. The mean preoperative major curve was 73 degrees and mean pelvic obliquity was 19 degrees . The patients' medical records were reviewed for complications following reinsertion of the intrathecal catheter following posterior spine instrumentation and arthrodesis, and for progression of the neuromuscular scoliosis, before and after intrathecal baclofen infusion was initiated.

RESULTS

Two patients presented with low-pressure headaches in the postoperative period, resulting from cerebrospinal fluid leak following subarachnoid catheter reinsertion and posterior instrumentation. Four patients documented progression of the major scoliosis curve after intrathecal baclofen infusion was begun. A mean progression of 44 degrees occurred over a mean period of 11 months before the spinal arthrodesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Low pressure headaches resulting from a cerebrospinal fluid leak following catheter reinsertion may occur in the postoperative period. Preoperative concerns with the baclofen pump reservoir placed subcutaneously and pressure sores were not seen with careful prone positioning on a 4-poster frame. Progression of scoliosis in patients with cerebral palsy requiring spinal arthrodesis was demonstrated in 4 of the patients after continuous intrathecal baclofen was started. The progression of the spinal deformity as a consequence of growth, natural history, or the intrathecal baclofen infusion is unknown at the present time.