Vagus nerve stimulation may be a sound therapeutic option in the treatment of refractory epilepsy

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Murilo S. Meneses²  Samanta F. B. Rocha²  Cristiane Simão²  Heraldo Nei Hardt Laroca Dos Santos²  Cleudi Pereira¹  Pedro A. Kowacs² 

[1] ,Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba Unidade de Cirurgia de Epilepsia Curitiba PR ,Brazil

关键词: refractory epilepsy;    epilepsy surgery;    vagus nerve stimulation;    epilepsia refratária;    cirurgia de epilepsia;    estimulação do nervo vago;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-282X2013000100006

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

INTRODUCTION: Refractory epilepsy accounts for 20 to 30% of epilepsy cases and remains a challenge for neurologists. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an option for palliative treatment. OBJECTIVE: It was to study the efficacy and tolerability of VNS in patients implanted with a stimulator at the Curitiba Institute of Neurology (INC). METHODS: A case study of six patients with refractory epilepsy submitted to a VNS procedure at the INC in the last four years was described and discussed. RESULTS: Mean age at time of implantation was 29 years. Mean follow-up was 26.6 months. Seizure frequency decreased in all patients (40-50% (n=2) and >80% (n=4)). Three patients no longer required frequent hospitalizations. Two patients previously restricted to wheelchairs started to walk, probably because of improved mood. CONCLUSION: In this population, VNS proved to be a sound therapeutic option for treating refractory epilepsy.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License