Super refractory status epilepticus in Lafora disease interrupted by vagus nerve stimulation: A case report
Mostacci B, Bisulli F, Muccioli L, Minardi I, Bandini M, Licchetta L, Zucchelli M, Leta C, Michelucci R, Zanello M, Tinuper P.
Brain Stimul. Nov-Dec 2019;12(6):1605-1607.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.08.008
Continuing the theme of status epilepticus this #retrospective case report by Mostacci et al. from 2019 describes how super refractory status epilepticus (#SRSE), in a 16 year old patient with Lafora disease, was successfully interrupted following acute vagus nerve stimulation (#VNS) implantation.
Highlights
• Acute VNS implantation successfully terminated SRSE in a 16 year old patient with Lafora disease
• No generalized tonic-clonic #seizures was observed post VNS implantation
• No registered reoccurrence of status epilepticus after VNS implantation
VNS surgery was performed 66 days after SRSE onset, when several therapeutic options had already failed. After a fast ramp-up period (final output current 1.75 mA and a 25% duty cycle), SRSE was effectively interrupted and 6 days after VNS implantation the patient could breathe spontaneously. The patient did not have any generalized tonic-clonic seizures nor any reoccurrence of status epilepticus post VNS implantation (#follow-up: 9 months, until the patient’s death - unrelated to VNS Therapy).
According to the current results, VNS Therapy may be an effective treatment alternative for interrupting SRSE in patients with Lafora disease.