VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS) IS MORE EFFECTIVE IN GENERALIZED THAN IN FOCAL EPILEPTIC SYNDROMES
Abstract number :
2.429
Submission category :
Year :
2003
Submission ID :
1911
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2003, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Jose A. Burattini, Arthur Cukiert, Joaquim O. Vieira, Pedro P. Mariani, Lauro Ceda, Rodio Brandao, Carla Baise, Leila Frayman, Cassio R. Forster, Meire Argentoni, Cristine M. Baldauf Neurology and Neurosurgery, Hospital Brigadeiro, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil;
VNS has been used as a palliative treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy over the last decade. The pathophysiological basis for its effectiveness is not well understood and it has been employed to treat all types of epileptic syndromes.
: Eleven patients submitted to VNS were studied. Five had secondary generalized epilepsy (SGE) and 6 focal epilepsy (FE). Two of the patients with SGE have been previously submitted to callosal sections. Five of the patients with FE have been previously submitted to cortical resection and 1 had double cortex syndrome. Age ranged from 11 to 36 years and follow-up time from 1 to 3 years. Final stimulation parameters were 2mA, 30Hz, 0,5msec, 30 secs [ldquo]on[rdquo] and 5 min [ldquo]off[rdquo].
There was no significant improvement of seizure[rsquo]s frequency in the patients with FE. On the other hand, there was a marked decrease in seizure[rsquo]s frequency ([gt]70%) in 3/5 patients with SGE. There was no significant morbidity or mortality.
VNS seems to be more effective in patients with SGE. Its effects in patients with FE appear to be much poorer.
[Supported by: Sao Paulo Secretary of Health]