Vagus Nerve Stimulation Treatment for Children with Refractory Epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome)

난치성 간질 환자에서 미주신경자극술 치료결과 분석(레녹스-가스토 증후군 환자)

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome(LGS) is a severe age-specific epilepsy syndrome that causes medication-resistant seizures in childhood. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been proposed as a possible way to improve the treatment of refractory epilepsy. We treated 9 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome between the ages of 2 and 11 years (mean 5.8 years), by using the vagus nerve stimulation. The mean follow-up duration was 35 months. The mean reduction of seizure frequency compared with baseline before VNS was 52% after 6 months (range, 0% to 89%; P<0.011), and 58% after 1 year (range 0% to 89%; P<0.012). Seven patients showed improvements of quality of life (QOL) such as alertness, mood, and language skills. The most common side effects were transient hoarseness (6 patients) and drooling (1 patient). Our results suggest that the vagus nerve stimulation could be an effective and safe adjunct therapy for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.