Intraventricular Baclofen Therapy: Hope for patients with severe movement disorders

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We are the first hospital in the Middle East to successfully perform two Intraventricular Baclofen Therapies on two young people with Dystonia. The milestone highlights Sidra Medicine’s commitment to pioneering advanced neurosurgical treatments for children and young people with severe movement disorders.

Dystonia is a neurological condition that causes uncontrolled muscle contractions. Following the procedure at Sidra Medicine, both adolescents experienced a remarkable improvement in their condition, demonstrating the effectiveness of this innovative therapy.

Intraventricular Baclofen Therapy begins with the placement of a ventricular reservoir to allow for a trial of Baclofen therapy. This minimally invasive procedure is performed in the operating room using neuronavigational equipment, and the patient stays overnight for monitoring.

Once the surgical site has healed, the patient undergoes a three-day trial in the neurosurgical ward, where an external pump delivers Baclofen similarly to the fully implanted device. Regular assessments help determine the patient’s response to the medication. If the trial is successful, a permanent Baclofen pump is implanted to provide continuous therapy. The dosage is gradually adjusted to optimize symptom control, significantly improving the patient’s quality of life.

Adam was one of the young patients who underwent the groundbreaking Intraventricular Baclofen Therapies at Sidra Medicine. Speaking about the impact of the treatment, Adam’s mother said: “Before the surgery, Adam’s condition affected nearly every part of his day. His limbs moved constantly, making it difficult for him to concentrate, rest, or participate in school like other children his age.”

“After his surgery at Sidra Medicine and thanks to rehabilitative support at the Movement Disorders Clinic, Adam’s movements began to settle, and he gained a level of control we had not seen in years. These small improvements transformed how he interacts with the world. It has brought hope back into our home, and I truly believe this procedure can help many more children like Adam.”

Unlike traditional intrathecal Baclofen therapy, which delivers the drug into the spinal fluid via a pump in the lower back, the intraventricular approach administers the medication directly into the brain’s ventricles, allowing for more effective treatment of severe dystonia affecting the entire body. This approach underscores the importance of integrating neurosurgical precision with rehabilitation, ensuring patients receive the most advanced care available.

Adam continues to receive rehabilitative care at our Movement Disorders Clinic. The clinic takes a multidisciplinary approach, with specialists in rehabilitation medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and therapy. It provides surgical and non-surgical interventions for patients who have not responded to medications and conventional therapy. The clinic is a key part of Sidra Medicine’s commitment to pioneering pediatric neurology care.

Sidra Medicine’s Neurosurgery Department specializes in treating a wide range of neurological conditions, including hydrocephalus, congenital abnormalities, brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy, craniofacial disorders, and spinal conditions.

For international inquiries about Sidra Medicine’s Neurosurgery services, please contact International.services@sidra.org. If you are based in Qatar, please call +974 4003 3333 for more information.