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.
PURPOSE: We discuss the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as adjunctive therapy in 26 patients with refractory epilepticencephalopathies (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 epilepticspasms. 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 epilepticencephalopathies EEs, improving QOL and neuropsychological performance.
Authors: A P. Aldenkamp; H J.M. Majoie; M W. Berfelo; S M.A.A. Evers; A G.H. Kessels; W O. Renier; J Wilmink Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 2.937
Authors: Richard S McLachlan; Mark Sadler; Neelan Pillay; Alan Guberman; Michael Jones; Samuel Wiebe; Jack Schneiderman Journal: Eur Neurol Date: 2003 Impact factor: 1.710
Authors: Philippe Ryvlin; Frank G Gilliam; Dang K Nguyen; Gabriella Colicchio; Alfonso Iudice; Paolo Tinuper; Nelia Zamponi; Umberto Aguglia; Louis Wagner; Lorella Minotti; Hermann Stefan; Paul Boon; Mark Sadler; Paolo Benna; Pradheep Raman; Emilio Perucca Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2014-04-22 Impact factor: 5.864