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Abstract Details

Outcome of Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Primary Generalized Epilepsy
Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology (EEG)
P12 - Poster Session 12 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)
12-012
To evaluate the efficacy of Vagal nerve stimulation ( VNS) for the treatment of primary generalized epilepsy.

VNS is approved by the FDA for treatment of drug resistant focal epilepsy. There is paucity of data on the efficacy of VNS in generalized epilepsy.

We performed a retrospective chart review at our Comprehensive Epilepsy Center of all patients with primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) who had a VNS implanted. Patients with PGE were defined as epilepsy patients with generalized spike-wave complexes or polyspike discharges, polyspike-wave discharges, or both on EEG, seizures descriptions consistent with PGE and a normal clinical examination and neuroimaging. We studied the seizure outcome by comparing the seizure frequency preimplantation Vs seizure frequency on last clinic visit after implantation. 
7 patients with PGE underwent VNS implantation with mean age of 39.14years(range 21years to 61years) of which 5 were men and 2 women. All had PGE, three had myoclonic epilepsy and one absence seizures as well. 3 had a family history of epilepsy. The mean age of onset of epilepsy was 10.8years (range 3-17years). All had failed on an average 3.7 AEDs (range 3-6). The mean age at implantation of VNS was 31.5 years (range 16-58years). The average follow period was 77.7months (range 15 - 252months) after implantation. At last follow up 4 (57.1%) were seizure free, 2 (28.5%) had >50% reduction in seizures from preimplantation baseline, while one had no improvement in their seizures despite VNS. Of the 4 patients that became seizure free, 2 patients became seizure free by 3 months post implantation at a current strength of 0.5mA, and the other 2 became seizure free by 10 months at a current strength 0.75mA. AEDs were successfully tapered off in two patients. 

VNS can  be an effective treatment of refractory primary generalized epilepsy.

Authors/Disclosures
Ram Mohan R. Sankaraneni, MD, FANA, FAES, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Allina Health _ Abott Northwestern Hospital)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Sankaraneni has nothing to disclose.
Anuja R. Patil, MD, DM (26, Dept of Neurology, 3rd floor) Dr. Patil has nothing to disclose.
Sanjay P. Singh, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (President, Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine & Pain Institute) Dr. Singh has nothing to disclose.