Vagus nerve stimulation: effectiveness and tolerability in patients with epileptic encephalopathies
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Ricardo O. Cersَsimo & Marcelo Bartuluchi & Cecilia De Los Santos & Irene Bonvehi & Hugo Pomata & Roberto H. Caraballo
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2010
Description
Purpose We discuss the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as adjunctive therapy in 26 patients with refractory epileptic encephalopathies (EEs). Material and methods Twenty-six patients (17 male and 9 female) with electroclinical features compatible with Lennox– Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in 20 patients, Dravet syndrome (DS) in 3 patients, and epilepsy with myoclonic–astatic seizures (EMAS) in 3 patients implanted with the NCP system were analyzed. Results In our series of patients with LGS, 17 cases showed a significant improvement in seizure control, with a reduction in seizure frequency of at least 50%. Seven of them previously had epileptic spasms. Three patients with EMAS and two patients with DS showed a significant improvement in seizure control, with a reduction in seizure frequency of at least 50%. A good clinical response was evident early and efficacy progressively improved with the duration of treatment up to 36 months. In patients who had a reduction in seizure frequency of at least 50%, quality of life (QOL) and neuropsychological performance improved. VNS was well-tolerated in all patients. Conclusion VNS is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with epileptic encephalopathies EEs, improving QOL and neuropsychological performance.
Childs Nerv Syst (2011) 27:787–792 DOI 10.1007/s00381-010-1314-8 Received: 7 October 2009 / Accepted: 13 October 2010 / Published online: 31 October 2010
