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Updated: May 6, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
The silent scream: Unraveling vagal nerve neuralgia; VANCOUVER syndrome and HeLPS
Erfan Shahabinejad1, Amirreza Shakoeizadeh1, Mina Jafari2
1Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; USERN Office, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Abstract:
Cranial nerves are mechanically irritated by vascular compression in neurovascular compression syndromes. Vagus nerve neuralgia is one of the less prevalent types of Neurovascular Compression Syndromes. It can cause disorders like Hemilaryngopharyngeal Spasm (HeLPS) and Vagus Associated Neurogenic Cough (VANCOUVER syndrome). HeLPS presents with unilateral spasms of the throat and coughing, whereas VANCOUVER syndrome is typified by a chronic cough brought on by vascular encroachment on the rootlet of the vagus nerve. The diseases' clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and therapy approaches are discussed, emphasizing the role of microvascular decompression (MVD) in the case of conservative treatment failure. Due to vagus nerve neuralgia's similarities to other diseases, including psychiatric conditions and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. To make the best possible treatment decisions, the effectiveness of both conservative and surgical care modalities including MVD and medication is discussed.
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