title: Vagus nerve stimulation may be a sound therapeutic option in the treatment of refractory epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Refractory epilepsy accounts for 20 to 30% of epilepsy cases and remains a challenge for neurologists. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an option for palliative treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was to study the efficacy and tolerability of VNS in patients implanted with a stimulator at the Curitiba Institute of Neurology (INC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case study of six patients with refractory epilepsy submitted to a VNS procedure at the INC in the last four years was described and discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age at time of implantation was 29 years. Mean follow-up was 26.6 months. Seizure frequency decreased in all patients (40-50% (n=2) and ≥80% (n=4)). Three patients no longer required frequent hospitalizations. Two patients previously restricted to wheelchairs started to walk, probably because of improved mood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population, VNS proved to be a sound therapeutic option for treating refractory epilepsy.
authors: Unidade de Cirurgia de Epilepsia, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, PR, Brazil. murilomeneses@onda.com.br
authors: Murilo S
authors: MS
authors: Meneses
authors: Samanta F B
authors: SF
authors: Rocha
authors: Cristiane
authors: C
authors: Simão
authors: Heraldo Nei Hardt Laroca dos
authors: HN
authors: Santos
authors: Cleudi
authors: C
authors: Pereira
authors: Pedro A
authors: PA
authors: Kowacs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult