Refractory status epilepticus treated with vagal nerve stimulation: case report.

O'Neill, Brent R; Valeriano, James; Synowiec, Andrea; Thielmann, Daniel; Lane, Carole; Wilberger, Jack · Neurosurgery · 2011

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Status epilepticus (SE) refractory to medical treatment has a high mortality rate and few effective treatments. We describe the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator to help terminate a case of refractory SE. A 23-year-old man was in SE for 3 weeks without being able to be weaned from intravenous anesthetic agents. After implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator, SE soon terminated, and the patient could be weaned from sedative agents and made a full recovery. Vagal nerve stimulator should be considered in cases of refractory SE.

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