1.Early-onset response is a predictor of better longterm outcome of vagus nerve stimulation therapy
Ayataka Fujimoto ; Tohru Okanishi ; Sotaro Kanai ; Keishiro Sato ; Mitsuyo Nishimura ; Hideo Enoki
Neurology Asia 2017;22(2):117-121
Background & Objective: It is well established that the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation
(VNS) therapy increases over 2-3 years. When increasing the dose of VNS, some patients were noted
to respond even at low-dose stimulation in the first few months. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the relationship between an initial response to VNS and long-term response in a retrospective
study of patients with intractable epilepsy. Method: We retrospectively analysed 56 patients who had
VNS implantation in our centre. All patients had undergone complete presurgical evaluation. After
implantation, the patients were examined at regular intervals of one month for 6-9 months and then
followed up regularly for more than 2 years. Their seizure frequency and intensity were documented
in their seizure logs. Results: Six patients achieved Engel class I (11%) seizure outcome, 16 achieved
Engel class II (28%), and 19 achieved Engel class III (34%). Of the 22 patients with Engel I and II,
the 19 in Engel class I (100%) and II (81%) showed an initial response within 6 months, an earlyonset
response of VNS implantation.
Conclusions: Early-onset response could be an independent predictor for achievement of Engel class
I and II in long-term follow-up.
Keyword: Background & Objective: It is well established that the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation
(VNS) therapy increases over 2-3 years. When increasing the dose of VNS, some patients were noted
to respond even at low-dose stimulation in the first few months. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the relationship between an initial response to VNS and long-term response in a retrospective
study of patients with intractable epilepsy. Method: We retrospectively analysed 56 patients who had
VNS implantation in our centre. All patients had undergone complete presurgical evaluation. After
implantation, the patients were examined at regular intervals of one month for 6-9 months and then
followed up regularly for more than 2 years. Their seizure frequency and intensity were documented
in their seizure logs. Results: Six patients achieved Engel class I (11%) seizure outcome, 16 achieved
Engel class II (28%), and 19 achieved Engel class III (34%). Of the 22 patients with Engel I and II,
the 19 in Engel class I (100%) and II (81%) showed an initial response within 6 months, an earlyonset
response of VNS implantation.
Conclusions: Early-onset response could be an independent predictor for achievement of Engel class
I and II in long-term follow-up.
Keyword: Vagus nerve stimulation, long term outcome, early onset response, predictor, epilepsy
2.Vagus nerve stimulation therapy improves quality of life in patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy, a study of five patients
Ayataka FUJIMOTO ; Toru OKANISHI ; Mitsuyo NISHIMURA ; Sotaro KANAI ; Keishiro SATO ; Hideo ENOKI
Neurology Asia 2018;23(1):1-5
Introduction: To evaluate the utility of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy in the reduction of seizure frequency and quality of life (QOL). Methods: We studied five patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy, the age ranged from 21 to 46 years. QOL of the patients was evaluated with the questionnaire, QOLIE-31-P. Results: VNS therapy improved seizure frequency in four patients (80%). One patient (20%) had no reduction of seizure frequency. Three patients had improvements in QOLIE-31-P (p < 0.024) and became socially independent. Two other patients continued to be dependent, and have lesser degree of improvements in their QOLIE-31-P scores.Conclusion: VNS is effective for patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy and is able to improve the QOL.