Serotonin Syndrome Mimicking Intrathecal Baclofen Withdrawal in a Patient with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis

Nicolas Goffin; Virginie Nguyen; Michéle Fostier; Thierry Gustin; Thierry Deltombe

doi:10.2340/20030711-1000026

Serotonin Syndrome Mimicking Intrathecal Baclofen Withdrawal in a Patient with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis

J Rehabil Med Clin Commun. 2020 Jan 21;3:1000026. doi: 10.2340/20030711-1000026. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Nicolas Goffin¹, Virginie Nguyen¹, Michéle Fostier², Thierry Gustin³, Thierry Deltombe¹

Affiliations

¹ Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, CHU UCL Namur site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.
² Anaesthesiology, CHU UCL Namur site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.
³ Neurosurgery, CHU UCL Namur site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.

Abstract

Context: Serotonin syndrome is a drug-induced condition related to an increased level of serotonin in the brain, which may induce neuromuscular, autonomic and mental symptoms.

Case report: A 40-year-old woman with hereditary spastic paraparesis (Strumpell-Lorrain disease) with an implanted intrathecal baclofen pump for severe spasticity. Two days after starting a medication known to inhibit serotonin re-uptake (paroxetine), she developed a sudden increase in lower limb spasticity with continuous spasms, fever, tachycardia and hypertension. Intrathecal baclofen withdrawal was excluded, confirming serotonin syndrome.

Conclusion: Medications that inhibit serotonin reuptake may induce serotonin syndrome, resulting in increased spasticity in patients with spinal cord lesions, and should be prescribed with caution.

Keywords: hereditary spastic paraparesis; intrathecal baclofen; paroxetine; serotonin syndrome.

Publication types

Case Reports