ICNC2018 Abstracts & Symposia Proposals, ICNC 2014

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Vagus nerve stimulation in children with drug-resistant epilepsy: two case reports.
Luciane Silveira Baratelli, Stella de Aparecida Elderli Pintos dos Santos, Fernanda Cristina Guedes Morgado, Carla Quero Cunha, Heloisa Viscaino Fernandes Souza Pereira

Last modified: 2014-04-03

Abstract


Introduction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive therapy used in intractable epilepsy. This procedure appears to be effective at reducing the frequency of seizures in adults. However, evidence in children is limited. Methods: We report two cases of children with drug resistant epilepsy in whom VNS was implanted. Case Description: Case 1: a 9 year old boy with gelastic epilepsy secondary to hypothalamic hamartoma who underwent a partial resection five years before, with only small decrease in seizure frequency. Case 2: a 2 year old girl with Ohtahara syndrome who was not candidate for surgical resection. Both were developmentally disabled and had multiple daily seizures refractory to antiepileptic drugs. They initially received low-output VNS with gradual increase to high-output parameters. Results: Seizure frequency decreased in more than 70% in both patients with VNS therapy after a preliminary follow-up of respectively 18 and 4 months. Despite being not seizure-free, Case 1 improved significantly his language skills and social behavior and went back to school. Case 2 improved her daytime alertness and motor development. Both had no surgical complication and any side effect was observed. Conclusion: VNS was safe, well-tolerated, reduced significantly seizure frequency in both cases and also improved mental and motor development.

Keywords


Vagus Nerve Stimulation; drug resistant epilepsy

References


Electrical stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: an evidence-based analysis. Chambers ABowen J., Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2013 Oct 1;13(18):1-37.

Vagus nerve stimulation in children with intractable epilepsy: a randomized controlled trial. Robinson REuropean Paediatric VNS Study Group., Dev Med Child Neurol. 2012 Sep;54(9):855-61.


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