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Vagus nerve stimulation for chronic intractable hiccups. Case report
Bryan Rankin Payne1, Robert Lyons Tiel, Mary Say Payne
1Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. bpayne1@lsuhsc.edu
Journal of Neurosurgery
|June 2, 2005
Summary
Intractable hiccups after stroke can be debilitating. Vagus nerve stimulation effectively resolved persistent hiccups in a patient, offering a new treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intractable hiccups are persistent, debilitating symptoms often linked to underlying neurological conditions.
- Standard treatments include vagal maneuvers and pharmacotherapy, but surgical interventions are rarely considered for refractory cases.
Observation:
- A patient presented with intractable hiccups following a posterior fossa stroke.
- Previous treatments for the hiccups were ineffective.
Findings:
- Placement of a vagus nerve stimulator led to complete resolution of the patient's intractable hiccups.
- This case demonstrates the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in managing post-stroke hiccups.
Implications:
- Vagus nerve stimulation may represent a viable therapeutic option for intractable hiccups, particularly those associated with neurological events.
- Further research into neurostimulation for managing refractory hiccups is warranted.