Effect of vagus nerve stimulation in patient with prolonged postictal encephalopathy

Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has rarely been used in adult patients with status epilepticus (SE). Although evidence for VNS's effect on consciousness is largely lacking, VNS implantation may be considered an option in a prolonged unconscious state after SE. Here, we present the case of a woman with prolonged SE whose consciousness incompletely recovered after seizure cessation with conventional therapy but fully recovered after activation of VNS.