The Israeli retrospective multicenter open-label study evaluating vagus nerve stimulation efficacy in children and adults.
Isr Med Assoc J
; 15(11): 673-7, 2013 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24511646
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The management of intractable epilepsy in children and adults is challenging. For patients who do not respond to anti-epileptic drugs and are not suitable candidates for epilepsy surgery, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a viable alternative for reducing seizure frequency.METHODS:
In this retrospective multicenter open-label study we examined the efficacy and tolerability of VNS in patients in five adult and pediatric epilepsy centers in Israel. All patients had drug-resistant epilepsy and after VNS implantation in 2006-2007 were followed for a minimum of 18 months. Patients were divided into two age groups < 21 and > 21 years old.RESULTS:
Fifty-six adults and children had a stimulator implanted in 2006-2007. At 18 months post-VNS implantation, none of the patients was seizure-free, 24.3% reported a reduction in seizures of > or = 75%, 19% reported a 50-75% reduction, and 10.8% a 25-50% reduction. The best response rate occurred in patients with complex partial seizures. Among these patients, 7 reported a > or = 75% reduction, 5 patients a 50-75% reduction, 3 patients a 25-50% reduction, and 8 patients a < 25% reduction. A comparison of the two age groups showed that the older group (< 21 years old) had fewer seizures than the younger group.CONCLUSIONS:
VNS is a relatively effective and safe palliative method for treating refractory epilepsy in both adults and children. It is an alternative treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, even after a relatively long disease duration, who are not candidates for localized epilepsy surgery.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Epilepsia
/
Estimulação do Nervo Vago
/
Anticonvulsivantes
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Isr Med Assoc J
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article