Refractory status epilepticus treated with vagal nerve stimulation: case report

Abstract

Background and importance: Status epilepticus (SE) refractory to medical treatment has a high mortality rate and few effective treatments.

Clinical presentation: We describe the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator to help terminate a case of refractory SE. A 23-year-old man was in SE for 3 weeks without being able to be weaned from intravenous anesthetic agents. After implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator, SE soon terminated, and the patient could be weaned from sedative agents and made a full recovery.

Conclusion: Vagal nerve stimulator should be considered in cases of refractory SE.