Lutheran General Hospital Neurologist Treats Epilepsy With Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy

Main Category: Epilepsy
Article Date: 07 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PST

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Daniel Brewer of Palatine has gone from having four to five epileptic seizures a day to a few minor ones in the six months since his surgery for vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy to help control electric signals from his brain. "This has completely changed my life," said the 29-year-old who has had 'every drug known to man' to treat his epilepsy, which he has struggled to control for the past 16 years.

A seizure happens when a sudden change in electrical activity within the brain causes physical symptoms. Depending on the location of the impulses, different symptoms may occur. A seizure is sometimes very mild -- such as a tingling feeling or a few moments of confusion -or it can be severe, including a complete loss of consciousness. Sometimes patients will feel a seizure coming on, other times there is no warning.

Under the watchful eye of Advocate Medical Group neurologist Prashanthi Boppana, M.D., Brewer underwent surgery at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to have a pacemaker-like device implanted that delivers mild, intermittently pulsed signals to the left vagus nerve, which activates various areas of the brain. The pulse generator is implanted in the left chest area and a thin, thread-like wire runs under the skin to the left vagus nerve in the neck. The implant procedure takes one to two hours. Using an external dose adjustment system, physicians can adjust the stimulation duration, frequency and intensity to control electric signals from the brain. This therapy helps provide a new sense of control and independence to people living with seizure disorders.

"VNS is a unique non-drug treatment option that has been proven to effectively decrease seizures and increase the quality of life of the patient by reducing the frequency and severity of seizures," said Dr. Boppana. "In addition, 75 percent of patients reduce the number or dosage of antiseizure drugs with this treatment."

Because of his epilepsy, Brewer has had no driver's license the past five years and had to move back with his mother because it was not safe for him to live alone. He also had to step down from promotions a number of times in the past six years to take medical leave because of his seizures.

Since his surgery, Brewer has been promoted at WalMart where he works in a fulltime supervisory position. He now hopes to get out on his own once again and possibly even get his driver's license back. "This is a fascinating treatment," Brewer said. "Epilepsy is a disorder that people don't know a lot about. Most people think only of grand mal seizures. I was having simple and complex partial seizures from different parts of the brain. It's like if you have a short circuit and the VNS is the fuse to close the circuit.

"I'm much happier now," Brewer said. "It's in the back seat and not running my life anymore…not to the extent it once was."

About Lutheran General Hospital

Lutheran General Hospital is a 617-bed teaching, research and referral hospital, a Level I trauma center, and one of the largest hospitals in the Chicago area. It also is home to Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital, the only children's hospital in the greater north and northwest suburban region of Chicago and a major regional referral center for a broad range of infant and pediatric services.

Lutheran General has been recognized 10 times as one of the 100 Top Hospitals and 15 top major teaching hospitals in the country. Lutheran General has been rated by US News & World Report as being one of America's Best Hospitals, and received 'top 50 in the nation' rankings for medical excellence and advanced capabilities in many specialties.

Lutheran General is the only hospital in the state and one of just 17 in the country recognized by the Hospital Quality Alliance as having better-than-the-national average results for patients with heart attacks. In addition, the hospital is certified as a primary stroke center by the Joint Commission in recognition of its exceptional outcomes for these patients.

The hospital also was the first in the north and northwest suburbs to be awarded the American Nurses Credentialing Center's prestigious Magnet designation, the highest honor and level of nursing excellence in the nation.

Lutheran General