The role of stand-alone videos in the diagnosis of seizures.

The diagnosis of seizures and seizure mimics relies primarily on the history, but history has well-known limitations. Video recordings of events are a powerful extension of the history because they allow neurologists to view the events in question. In addition, they are readily available in situation, whereas the gold standard of EEG-video is not. That includes underserved or rural areas, and events that are too infrequent to be captured during a few days of EEG-video monitoring. Brief cellphone videos have been shown to be valuable to suggest or guide the correct diagnosis.

Efficacy of highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) in typical absence seizures: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical trials for typical absence seizures are notoriously difficult, because those seizures are clinically subtle and brief, so that seizure counts by caregivers are inaccurate. As a result, treatment options are limited. Currently, there are no published studies on the use of CBD in typical absence seizures. This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pharmaceutical grade CBD in typical absence seizures. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 14 patients aged 6 years and older, diagnosed with typical absence seizures. A baseline 24-hour ambulatory EEG was conducted, followed by a second 24-hour EEG after 90 days of treatment. The outcome was an objective measure of spike-wave complexes (SWC) burden change from pre- to post- treatment. RESULTS: After taking CBD for 90 days, 9 (64.3%) patients had an increase in SWC (ranging from 8% to 2876.5%) and 5 (35.7%) had a decrease in SWC (ranging from 62.3% to 98.9%). Of the 5 patients who had a decrease, 3 (60%) were on concomitant ethosuximide (with or without other ASMs). All 3 patients on CBD and ethosuximide improved. CONCLUSIONS: Although based on a small subset of patients, our results suggest that CBD may not be effective for typical absence seizures. However, patients on concomitant ethosuximide or on CBD monotherapy were more likely to improve.

Use of new intranasal benzodiazepines at a typical adult epilepsy center.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review out-of-hospital use of intranasal diazepam and midazolam for treatment of acute repetitive seizures (ARS) at a typical adult epilepsy center. METHODS: Data were collected through chart review and by telephone calls to either the patient or the caregiver regarding drug effectiveness, overall satisfaction, and adverse events. RESULTS: We identified 96 patients who were prescribed either benzodiazepine. Thirty-nine patients in the diazepam group and 38 patients in the midazolam group were able to be contacted and were included in the study. Sixty-two percent of patients in the diazepam group and 55% of patients in the midazolam group had used the medication at the time of data collection. Of these patients, 83% of patients in the diazepam group and 85% of patients in the midazolam group reported cessation of seizures after either the first or second dose. In comparison of the average patient satisfaction between intranasal diazepam and midazolam, there was no statistical significance (4.25 ± 1.22 vs 3.95 ± 1.35; p = 0.42). Adverse events were minor, included fatigue, nasal discomfort, headache, and dizziness. DISCUSSION: The use of the two new intranasal benzodiazepines was roughly divided equally. Slightly more than half of the patients who were prescribed the medication had used it. The overall satisfaction of the two medications was comparable. These findings highlight the principal usability of intranasal diazepam and midazolam in adults with ARS.

Value of smartphone videos for diagnosis of seizures: Everyone owns half an epilepsy monitoring unit.

The diagnosis of epilepsy is primarily based on the history and the verbal description of the events in question. Smartphone videos are increasingly used to assist in the diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate their value for the diagnosis of seizures. We prospectively collected smartphone videos from patients who presented to our epilepsy center over two years. The video-based diagnosis was then compared to the eventual diagnosis based on video-electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring with recorded episodes. Video-EEG studies and smartphone videos were reviewed by two separate physicians, each blinded to the other's interpretation. Fifty-four patients were included in the final analysis (mean age = 34.7 years, SD = 17 years). Data (either smartphone video or video-EEG monitoring) were inconclusive in 18 patients. Of the 36 patients with conclusive data, 34 (94%) were in agreement. Smartphone video interpretation can be a useful adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of seizure-like events.

Fish soup for the falling sickness: Tracing epilepsy through Hmong and Western beliefs.

Hmong communities originated in China but today are located across the globe. Salvation, health, and well-being in Hmong tradition are contingent upon pleasing spirits and ancestors. While most diseases are believed to reflect the displeasure of spirits and ancestors, epilepsy is unique in that it portends a heightened capacity for achieving an elevated level of spirituality, which has led it to be deemed honorable by Hmong society members. This stands in stark contrast to some contexts within which epilepsy has been historically understood in the West in which the disease was believed to originate from sin and evil. If and how societal response toward persons with epilepsy (PWE) in Hmong communities differ from that in other Western communities in a way that parallels these differences in beliefs regarding the etiology and significance of the seizures is unknown. Understanding this may have implications that guide efforts in combatting stigma affecting PWE.

Outcome of prolonged video-EEG monitoring in a new VA monitoring unit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: For patients with refractory seizures or seizure-like activity, prolonged inpatient video-electroencephalography (EEG) (v-EEG) is standard of care to guide diagnosis and management. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of v-EEG in a new Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). METHODS: We reviewed all prolonged (>24 h) inpatient v-EEGs performed in our EMU (2 beds) at the James A Haley VA in Tampa, FL over a five-and-a-half-year period (11/2013-07/2019). A total of 216 prolonged v-EEGs were performed. The patient population consisted of adult veterans (185 males, 31 females) ranging from 21 years to 89 years old (mean 52.5). The duration of monitoring ranged from 24 h to 9 days (mean 3.6 days). RESULTS: Of the 216 studies, 39 (18%) exclusively had epileptic seizures (ES). Of these, 37 (95%) had focal seizures, and 2 (5%) had generalized seizures. Of the 37 cases with focal seizures, all but 2 had clear ictal changes on EEG. Eighteen (8.5%) EEG studies revealed interictal epileptiform abnormalities without a clinical event. Sixty-eight (31.5%) of the v-EEGs had exclusively nonepileptic events (NEE). Of these, 27 (12.5%) were psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), and 41 (19%) were other NEE. Ninety-one (42%) of the studies were inconclusive, either because of lack of events captured (63) or because the events recorded were not the patient's typical episodes (27). SIGNIFICANCE: Compared to non-VA series, we found a lower proportion of PNES, and a higher proportion of inconclusive studies.

Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare, severe form of epileptic encephalopathy, are frequently treatment resistant to available medications. No controlled studies have investigated the use of cannabidiol for patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. We therefore assessed the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as an add-on anticonvulsant therapy in this population of patients. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done at 24 clinical sites in the USA, the Netherlands, and Poland, we investigated the efficacy of cannabidiol as add-on therapy for drop seizures in patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Eligible patients (aged 2-55 years) had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, including a history of slow (<3 Hz) spike-and-wave patterns on electroencephalogram, evidence of more than one type of generalised seizure for at least 6 months, at least two drop seizures per week during the 4-week baseline period, and had not responded to treatment with at least two antiepileptic drugs. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using an interactive voice response system, stratified by age group, to receive 20 mg/kg oral cannabidiol daily or matched placebo for 14 weeks. All patients, caregivers, investigators, and individuals assessing data were masked to group assignment. The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline in monthly frequency of drop seizures during the treatment period, analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug and had post-baseline efficacy data. All randomly assigned patients were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02224690. FINDINGS: Between April 28, 2015, and Oct 15, 2015, we randomly assigned 171 patients to receive cannabidiol (n=86) or placebo (n=85). 14 patients in the cannabidiol group and one in the placebo group discontinued study treatment; all randomly assigned patients received at least one dose of study treatment and had post-baseline efficacy data. The median percentage reduction in monthly drop seizure frequency from baseline was 43·9% (IQR -69·6 to -1·9) in the cannibidiol group and 21·8% (IQR -45·7 to 1·7) in the placebo group. The estimated median difference between the treatment groups was -17·21 (95% CI -30·32 to -4·09; p=0·0135) during the 14-week treatment period. Adverse events occurred in 74 (86%) of 86 patients in the cannabidiol group and 59 (69%) of 85 patients in the placebo group; most were mild or moderate. The most common adverse events were diarrhoea, somnolence, pyrexia, decreased appetite, and vomiting. 12 (14%) patients in the cannabidiol group and one (1%) patient in the placebo group withdrew from the study because of adverse events. One patient (1%) died in the cannabidiol group, but this was considered unrelated to treatment. INTERPRETATION: Add-on cannabidiol is efficacious for the treatment of patients with drop seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and is generally well tolerated. The long-term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol is currently being assessed in the open-label extension of this trial. FUNDING: GW Pharmaceuticals.

Putting it all together: Options for intractable epilepsy: An updated algorithm on the use of epilepsy surgery and neurostimulation.

For drug-resistant epilepsy, nonpharmacologic treatments should be considered early rather than late. Of the nondrug treatments, only resective surgery can be curative. Neurostimulation is palliative, i.e., not expected to achieve a seizure-free outcome. While resective surgery is the goal, other options are necessary because the majority of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy are not surgical candidates, and others have seizures that fail to improve with surgery or have only partial improvement but not seizure freedom. Neurostimulation modalities include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS), each with its own advantages, disadvantages, and side effects. In most scenarios, determined by noninvasive evaluation, especially EEG and MRI, several strategies are reasonable. For focal epilepsies, the choices are between resective surgery, with or without intracranial EEG, and all three modalities of neurostimulation. In situations where resective surgery is likely to result in seizure freedom, such as mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy or lesional focal epilepsy, resection (standard, laser, or radiofrequency) is preferred. For difficult cases like extratemporal nonlesional epilepsies, neurostimulation offers a less invasive option than resective surgery. For generalized and multifocal epilepsies, VNS is an option, RNS is not, and DBS has only limited evidence. "This article is part of the Supplement issue Neurostimulation for Epilepsy."

Psychiatric and cognitive adverse events: A pooled analysis of three phase III trials of adjunctive eslicarbazepine acetate for partial-onset seizures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature and incidence of psychiatric and cognitive adverse events (AEs) reported with eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) used as adjunctive treatment for refractory partial-onset seizures (POS) in adults. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of data pooled from three randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (BIA-2093-301, -302, -304). After an 8-week baseline period, patients received placebo or adjunctive ESL 400mg (studies 301 and 302 only), 800mg, or 1200mg once daily (QD) for 14weeks (2-week titration period, 12-week maintenance period). Psychiatric and cognitive AEs were identified from individual patient data. Suicidality was also evaluated using the Columbia-Classification Algorithm of Suicide Assessment (C-CASA), or the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). P-values were obtained using the chi-square test of independence or Fisher's exact test, without correcting for multiplicity. RESULTS: The analysis population included 1447 patients (ESL, n=1021; placebo, n = 426). Psychiatric treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) occurred in 10.8% of patients receiving ESL, and in a comparable proportion (10.3%) of patients receiving placebo (p=0.802). The incidence of depression and suicidality-related TEAEs was higher for ESL (7.4%) vs. placebo (3.8%) (p=0.009). The occurrence of these TEAEs differed between treatment groups (p = 0.010), but there was no notable trend between increasing ESL dose and increasing incidence of depression and suicidality-related TEAEs. Aggression/hostility-related TEAEs occurred in <0.1% of patients taking ESL vs. 0.9% taking placebo. The incidence of cognitive TEAEs was higher for ESL (7.1%) vs. placebo (4.0%) (p=0.023); incidences of memory impairment, attention disturbance, apathy, and aphasia were higher for ESL 1200mg than for other treatment groups. Incidences of psychiatric and cognitive serious AEs (SAEs) were 0.6% and 0.2% with ESL, and 0.5% and 0% with placebo, respectively. Psychiatric and cognitive TEAEs leading to discontinuation occurred in 1.9% and 1.4% of patients taking ESL, and 0.7% and 0.5% taking placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In phase III clinical trials of adjunctive ESL for treatment-refractory POS, psychiatric and cognitive TEAEs were reported infrequently with ESL and placebo. The incidences of depression and suicidality-related TEAEs and of cognitive TEAEs were higher for patients taking ESL vs. placebo. Incidences of psychiatric and cognitive SAEs, and TEAEs leading to discontinuation, were low with ESL and placebo.

An analysis of quality of life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy and comorbid psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

PURPOSE: Patients with epilepsy (PWE) may suffer from comorbid psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). The efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the treatment of epilepsy and depression is established, however the impact on PNES is unknown. Since many patients with PNES have comorbid depression, we explored the impact on quality of life (QOL) that VNS has on PWE and PNES. METHODS: The video electroencephalogram (vEEG) of all patients who underwent VNS at our institution was reviewed. Patients diagnosed with both psychogenic seizures and epileptic seizures on their vEEG were included in this study. These patients were contacted, and given a QOLIE-31 survey to assess their quality of life after VNS. Patients also completed a separate survey created by our group to categorize the quartile of their improvement. Pre-operative psychiatric disease was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: From a period of 2001 to 2016, 518 patients underwent placement of VNS for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) at our institution. In total, 16 patients were diagnosed with both epilepsy and PNES. 11/16 patients responded to our questionnaire and survey. 9 out of 11 patients felt that their epileptic seizures had improved after VNS, while 7 of the 11 patients felt that their psychogenic episodes had improved. 2(28.6%), 1 (14.3%), and 4 (57.1%) of participants said their PNES improved by 25-50%, 50-75%, and 75-100%, respectively. 3(27.3%), 3 (27.3%), 1 (9.1%), and 4 (36.4%) of the participants said their epileptic seizures improved by 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, and 75-100%, respectively. The average overall score for quality of life for the study participants was found to be 51 (±8) out of 100. CONCLUSION: Patients with epilepsy and comorbid PNES may benefit from VNS. It is unclear whether the benefit is conferred strictly from decreased epileptic seizure burden. The possible effect on PNES may be related to the known effect of VNS on depression. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of VNS in the treatment of PNES and possibly other psychiatric disease.

Automatic Vagus Nerve Stimulation Triggered by Ictal Tachycardia: Clinical Outcomes and Device Performance--The U.S. E-37 Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The Automatic Stimulation Mode (AutoStim) feature of the Model 106 Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy System stimulates the left vagus nerve on detecting tachycardia. This study evaluates performance, safety of the AutoStim feature during a 3-5-day Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) stay and long- term clinical outcomes of the device stimulating in all modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The E-37 protocol (NCT01846741) was a prospective, unblinded, U.S. multisite study of the AspireSR(®) in subjects with drug-resistant partial onset seizures and history of ictal tachycardia. VNS Normal and Magnet Modes stimulation were present at all times except during the EMU stay. Outpatient visits at 3, 6, and 12 months tracked seizure frequency, severity, quality of life, and adverse events. RESULTS: Twenty implanted subjects (ages 21-69) experienced 89 seizures in the EMU. 28/38 (73.7%) of complex partial and secondarily generalized seizures exhibited ≥20% increase in heart rate change. 31/89 (34.8%) of seizures were treated by Automatic Stimulation on detection; 19/31 (61.3%) seizures ended during the stimulation with a median time from stimulation onset to seizure end of 35 sec. Mean duty cycle at six-months increased from 11% to 16%. At 12 months, quality of life and seizure severity scores improved, and responder rate was 50%. Common adverse events were dysphonia (n = 7), convulsion (n = 6), and oropharyngeal pain (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: The Model 106 performed as intended in the study population, was well tolerated and associated with clinical improvement from baseline. The study design did not allow determination of which factors were responsible for improvements.

Laser ablation therapy: An alternative treatment for medically resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy after age 50.

Selective anterior mesial temporal lobe (AMTL) resection is considered a safe and effective treatment for medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). However, as with any open surgical procedure, older patients (aged 50+) face greater risks. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has shown recent potential as an alternative treatment for MTLE. As a less invasive procedure, MRgLITT could be particularly beneficial to older patients. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of MRgLITT in this population. Seven consecutive patients (aged 50+) undergoing MRgLITT for MTLE were followed prospectively to assess surgical time, complications, postoperative pain control, length of stay (LOS), operating room (OR) charges, total hospitalization charges, and seizure outcome. Five of these patients were assessed at the 1-year follow-up for seizure outcome. These data were compared with data taken from 7 consecutive patients (aged 50+) undergoing AMTL resection. Both groups were of comparable age (mean: 60.7 (MRgLITT) vs. 53 (AMTL)). One AMTL resection patient had a complication of aseptic meningitis. One MRgLITT patient experienced an early postoperative seizure, and two MRgLITT patients had a partial visual field deficit. Seizure-freedom rates were comparable (80% (MRgLITT) and 100% (AMTL) (p>0.05)) beyond 1year postsurgery (mean follow-up: 1.0years (MRgLITT) vs. 1.8years (AMTL)). Mean LOS was shorter in the MRgLITT group (1.3days vs. 2.6days (p<0.05)). Neuropsychological outcomes were comparable. Short-term follow-up suggests that MRgLITT is safe and provides outcomes comparable to AMTL resection in this population. It also decreases pain medication requirement and reduces LOS. Further studies are necessary to assess the long-term efficacy of the procedure.

Temporal lobe epilepsy and cavernous malformations: surgical strategies and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) of the temporal lobe often present with seizures. Surgical resection of these lesions can offer durable seizure control. There is, however, no universally accepted methodology for assessing and surgically treating these patients. We propose an algorithm to maximize positive surgical outcomes (seizure control) while minimizing post-surgical neurological deficit. METHODS: A retrospective review of 34 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery for radiographically proven temporal lobe CCM was conducted. Patients underwent a relatively standard work-up for seizure localization. In patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), a complete resection of the epileptogenic zone was performed including amygdalo-hippocampectomy in addition to a lesionectomy if not contraindicated by pre-operative work-up. Patients with neocortical epilepsy underwent intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG)-guided lesionectomy. RESULTS: Seizure-free rate for mesial and neocortical (anterior, lateral, and basal) location was 90 vs. 83 %, respectively. Complete resection of the lesion, irrespective of location, was statistically significant for seizure control (p = 0.018). There was no difference in seizure control based on disease duration or location (p > 0.05). Patients with mesial temporal CCM who presented with MTLE were presumed to also have mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), or dual pathology. These patients underwent routine resection of the mesial structures. Interestingly, patients who had MTLE and basal (neocortical) lesions who underwent a mesial resection for suspected MTS were found not to have dual pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with temporal lobe CCM should be offered resection for durable seizure control, prevention of secondary epileptogenic foci, and elimination of hemorrhage risk. The preoperative work-up should follow a team approach. Surgical intervention should include complete lesionectomy in all cases. Intra or extra-operative ECoG for neocortical lesions may be beneficial. Management of mesial temporal CCMs (archicortex) should consider resection of a well-defined epileptogenic zone (including mesial structures) due to high probability of pathologically proven MTS. The use of this treatment algorithm is useful for the education and treatment of these patients.

Tobacco smoking, epilepsy, and seizures.

Tobacco smoking is considered the greatest risk factor for death caused by noncommunicable diseases. In contrast to extensive research on the association between tobacco smoking and diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and cancers, studies on the association between tobacco smoking and seizures or epilepsy are insufficient. The exact roles tobacco smoking and nicotine use play in seizures or epilepsy have not been well reviewed. We reviewed available literature and found that 1) there are vast differences between tobacco smoke and nicotine based on their components and their effects on seizures or epilepsy; 2) the seizure risk in acute active tobacco smokers, women who smoke during pregnancy, electronic cigarette smokers, and the role of smoking in sudden unexplained/unexpected death in epilepsy remain unclear; 3) seizure risks are higher in acute secondhand smokers, chronic active smokers, and babies whose mothers smoke; 4) tobacco smoke protects against seizures in animal models whereas nicotine exerts mixed effects in animals; and 5) tobacco smoking agents can be noneffective, proconvulsant, or anticonvulsant. Finally, the opportunities for future research on this topic is discussed.

Clobazam is efficacious for patients across the spectrum of disease severity of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: post hoc analyses of clinical trial results by baseline seizure-frequency quartiles and VNS experience.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) severity varies considerably, so the potential impact of differences in baseline severity on patient outcome following treatment is clinically informative. Here, two surrogate indicators of LGS severity (baseline seizure frequency and vagus nerve stimulation [VNS] use) were used in post hoc analyses of both short- and long-term clobazam trials (Phase III OV-1012 [CONTAIN] and open-label extension [OLE] OV-1004). In CONTAIN, 217 patients comprised the modified, intention-to-treat population. Each baseline seizure-frequency quartile had ~40 patients, and baseline weekly drop-seizure frequency ranges were as follows: <10 (Quartile 1), 10-30 (Quartile 2), 32-86 (Quartile 3), and 86-1077 (Quartile 4). Mean percentage decreases in average weekly drop and total seizures were similar for all quartiles. More than 50% of patients in all 4 quartiles demonstrated ≥ 50% decreases in weekly drop- and total-seizure frequency. The percentage of patients achieving 100% reduction in drop seizures was 33% for clobazam-treated patients (vs. 7% for placebo) in Quartile 1. Five percent of clobazam-treated patients in Quartile 4 (most severe LGS) vs. 0% for placebo achieved 100% reduction in drop seizures. A total of 267 of 306 possible patients entered the OLE (61/68 from a Phase II study and 206/238 from Phase III CONTAIN). Each quartile had ~66 patients, and baseline weekly drop-seizure ranges were as follows: <10 (Quartile 1), 10-31 (Quartile 2), 32-110 (Quartile 3), and 111-1147 (Quartile 4). Median percentage decreases in average weekly drop and total seizures were similar between quartiles. Through 5 years of therapy, >50% of patients in all 4 quartiles demonstrated ≥ 50% decreases in weekly frequency for drop seizures. More than 12% of patients in Quartile 4 achieved 100% reduction in drop seizures from Month 3 through Year 5. For the VNS analyses in CONTAIN, the least-squares mean decreases in average weekly rate of drop seizures (mITT population) were 52% for VNS patients receiving clobazam vs. -22% for placebo (p < 0.01). For non-VNS patients, these percentages were 53% for clobazam and 26% for placebo (p < 0.01). Moreover, 50% and 54% of clobazam-treated patients in the VNS and non-VNS groups demonstrated ≥ 50% decreases in average weekly drop- and total-seizure frequencies, and 11% and 14% in the two groups achieved drop-seizure freedom, respectively. Analyses using baseline seizure frequency and VNS use as surrogates for disease severity showed that clobazam treatment of patients with less severe or severe LGS was equally efficacious.

Lead revision surgery for vagus nerve stimulation in epilepsy: outcomes and efficacy.

We present, to our knowledge, the first published analysis of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) lead revisions to incorporate quality of life, clinical response, and antiepileptic drug (AED) burden in postrevision clinical outcomes. Ten patients were followed and had no postoperative complications. Seven patients had improvement in quality of life, and three experienced no change. Eight patients noted a restoration of clinical response comparable with initial VNS implantation. Seven patients reported 30-60% improvement in seizure reduction, two experienced >60%, and one noted <30%. Six patients had no change in AED burden. Vagus nerve stimulation lead revision should be considered a safe option for patients with VNS lead failure and medically intractable epilepsy.