PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Eroboghene E. Ubogu AU - Judah R. Lindenberg AU - Mary Ann Werz TI - Transverse Myelitis Associated With <em>Acinetobacter baumanii</em> Intrathecal Pump Catheter-Related Infection AID - 10.1016/S1098-7339(03)00222-0 DP - 2003 Sep 01 TA - Regional Anesthesia &amp; Pain Medicine PG - 470--474 VI - 28 IP - 5 4099 - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/28/5/470.short 4100 - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/28/5/470.full SO - Reg Anesth Pain Med2003 Sep 01; 28 AB - Objective: To describe a late neurologic complication of intrathecal pump implantation and show the methods used for the diagnosis and successful treatment of transverse myelitis in this setting.Case report: A 32-year-old man with a chronic abdominal pain syndrome presented with right lower-extremity numbness 2 months after the placement of an intrathecal morphine pump. This progressed to bilateral lower extremity and ascending sensory loss to T12-L1 dermatome, significant lower-extremity weakness, constipation with overflow incontinence, and detrusor instability causing urinary incontinence in discrete episodes over the following 2 months consistent with a myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were consistent with transverse myelitis. The intrathecal pump was removed and an Acinetobacter baumanii catheter-tip infection was diagnosed. Clinical course improved with the co-administration of intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics, with significant clinical improvement within 30 days.Conclusions: Clinicians should recognize transverse myelitis as a possible late complication of intrathecal pump placement. Early medical intervention and removal of the intrathecal pump may be necessary to prevent irreversible spinal cord damage and may support good recovery.