Vagus Nerve Stimulation

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Can anyone tell me how frequently is vagus nerve stimulation used as an adjunct therapy for seizures? And how does it work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cpt.Hook Hamate]

Can anyone tell me how frequently is vagus nerve stimulation used as an adjunct therapy for seizures? And how does it work?

Thanks in advance.

Wow, I was coming here for the same info. I just started my neuro rotation today and the first patient I was given has a VNS and my resident told me to look this up tonight.

 

[Cpt.Hook Hamate]

Well, I looked it up and apparently the patient carries a magnetic device strapped to her wrist and which when comes into the vicinity of the stimulator implant, it sends impulses through the Vagus nerve which is believed to disrupt the dysyncronous neural firing in the brain that seems to occur during seizures. The exact mechanism is not known. The device seems to mostly be used in those indviduals in which drugs are not helping their seizures and they are not candidates for neurosurgery that can alleviate the frequency and severity of the seizures.

I currently am following a patient who has a VNS and my Neuro Attending who is an old crusty fellow say this is his first time coming into contact with a patient with a VNS so I believe its use is rare.