Abstract | OBJECT:
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of partial epilepsy in patients older than 12 years. Authors of the current study performed a large retrospective analysis and comparison of VNS outcomes in children with an age ≥ and < 12 years, including those with partial and generalized epilepsy. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of pediatric patients (age < 18 years) who had undergone primary VNS system implantation between 2001 and 2010 by a single pediatric neurosurgeon was undertaken. Considered data included demographics, epilepsy type (partial vs generalized), seizure frequency, seizure duration, postictal period duration, and antiepileptic medication use. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six patients (49% female) were followed up for a mean of 41 months after VNS implantation. Thirty-two percent of patients had partial epilepsy and 68% had generalized epilepsy. After VNS system implantation, seizure frequency was reduced in 91% of patients, seizure duration in 50%, postictal period in 49%, and antiepileptic medication use in 75%. There was no significant difference in age, sex, or duration of follow-up according to epilepsy type. Neither was there any significant difference in seizure frequency reduction, seizure duration, postictal period, medication use, overall clinical improvement, or improvement in quality of life based on an age ≥ or < 12 years or epilepsy type. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Eric M Thompson, Susan E Wozniak, Colin M Roberts, Amy Kao, Valerie C Anderson, Nathan R Selden |
Journal | Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics
(J Neurosurg Pediatr)
Vol. 10
Issue 3
Pg. 200-5
(Sep 2012)
ISSN: 1933-0715 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 22768964
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Age Factors
- Anticonvulsants
(therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Epilepsies, Partial
(therapy)
- Epilepsy, Generalized
(therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Medical Records
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
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