Intrathecal Baclofen for the Treatment of Dystonia in Patients with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Abstract

Patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (also known as the complex regional pain syndrome) may have dystonia, which is often unresponsive to treatment. Some forms of dystonia respond to the intrathecal administration of baclofen, a specific γ-aminobutyric acid–receptor (type B) agonist that inhibits sensory input to the neurons of the spinal cord. We evaluated this treatment in seven women who had reflex sympathetic dystrophy with multifocal or generalized tonic dystonia.