Vagus nerve stimulation for chronic intractable hiccups. Case report.
Intractable hiccups are debilitating and usually a result of some underlying disease. Initial management includes vagal maneuvers and pharmacotherapy. When hiccups persist despite medical therapy, surgical intervention rarely is pursued. Cases described in the literature cite successful phrenic nerve blockade, crush injury, or percutaneous phrenic nerve pacing. The authors report on a case of intractable hiccups occurring after a posterior fossa stroke, Complete resolution of the spasms has been achieved to date following the placement of a vagus nerve stimulator.
Payne
Bryan Rankin
BR
Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. bpayne1@lsuhsc.edu
Tiel
Robert Lyons
RL
Payne
Mary Say
MS
Fisch
Bruce
B
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006606:Hiccup / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*