Neurosurgery. 2011 Nov;69(5):E1172-5.

Refractory status epilepticus treated with vagal nerve stimulation: case report.

O'Neill BR, Valeriano J, Synowiec A, Thielmann D, Lane C, Wilberger J.

Source

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. boneill35@gmail.com

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:

Status epilepticus (SE) refractory to medical treatment has a high mortality rate and few effective treatments.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

We describe the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator to help terminate a case of refractory SE. A 23-year-old man was in SE for 3 weeks without being able to be weaned from intravenous anesthetic agents. After implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator, SE soon terminated, and the patient could be weaned from sedative agents and made a full recovery.

CONCLUSION:

Vagal nerve stimulator should be considered in cases of refractory SE.

PMID:

21577172

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21577172

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