Publication

Formation of two consecutive intrathecal catheter tip granulomas within nine months

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 1, 2010

Units
PubMed

Citation
Hoederath P, Gautschi O, Land M, Hildebrandt G, Fournier J. Formation of two consecutive intrathecal catheter tip granulomas within nine months. Cen Eur Neurosurg 2010; 71:39-42.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Cen Eur Neurosurg 2010; 71
Publication Date
Feb 1, 2010
Issn Electronic
1868-4912
Pages
39-42
Brief description/objective

The formation of catheter tip granulomas is an increasingly observed serious complication of intrathecally administered medication. This complication, which is frequently associated with neurological disturbances, has previously been attributed to high dosages and high concentrations of intrathecal morphine. Much less commonly, intrathecal hydromorphone and intrathecal baclofen have also been associated with intrathecal granuloma formation. In the current case, we report a patient who developed her fi rst catheter tip granuloma after 20 months of intrathecal morphine. After surgical granuloma removal and installation of a new catheter, the patient received intrathecal ziconitide for an interim period of six months. Because of a progressive inefficacy, ziconitide was replaced by hydromorphone. One month later, only nine months after the fi rst operative granuloma removal, a new catheter tip granuloma required a further surgical intervention. This case report highlights the potential of intrathecal morphine and hydromorphone to form consecutive inflammatory granulomas within the same patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fi rst report of a patient developing two consecutive catheter tip granulomas within nine months.