OBJECTIVEIn an effort to increase the effect of intrathecal baclofen on upper-extremity spasticity, the tip of the intrathecal catheter was placed at the T6–T7 level rather than at the traditional T11–T12 level in children with spastic quadriparesis.METHODSTwelve children with spastic quadriparesis from varying causes had significant reductions in spasticity after a test dose of intrathecal baclofen and subsequently underwent placement of a programmable pump and intrathecal catheter tip placed at the T6–T7 level with fluoroscopic guidance. With the use of Ashworth scores for four muscle groups in both the upper and lower extremities, degrees of spasticity were determined by a physiatrist preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mean changes in upper- and lower-extremity Ashworth scores and baclofen dosages for the entire cohort were compared with published results in which the catheter tip had been placed at the T11–T12 level.RESULTSSpasticity was significantly reduced in all muscle groups (P< 0.001). The lower-extremity reduction in spasticity of 1.6 points at 3 and 12 months was greater than published reductions of 1.1 points at 3 and 12 months. The upper-extremity reduction in spasticity was noticeably greater at 3 and 12 months (1.7 and 2.0 points, respectively) than published results at 3 and 12 months (0.4 and 0.6 points, respectively). At 3, 6, and 12 months, our mean baclofen dosage remained below the dosages administered at the T11–T12 level. There were no complications related either to the positioning of the catheter higher in the spinal canal or to the administration of baclofen at the T6–T7 level.CONCLUSIONCompared with published results, placement of the tip of the intrathecal catheter at the T6–T7 level was associated with greater relief of upper-extremity spasticity without loss of effect on the lower extremities. The mean dosages of baclofen in our study group were lower compared with mean dosages administered at the T11–T12 level. There was no morbidity related to the more rostral location of the catheter.