Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy Responded to Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Progressive myoclonus epilepsies (PMEs) are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by different seizure types and multifocal neurological deficit. They have deleterious effect on patient's life; furthermore failure of medical treatment has a great burden on the patient and caregivers. The role of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in PMEs has been a matter of debate; however recently there is case reports addressed the effectiveness of VNS in such disorders. The aim of presenting this case report is to support the role of VNS in the treatment of refractory epilepsies such as PMEs. PMEs are rare disorders with variable subtypes which are usually resistant to anti-epileptic drugs with deleterious clinical effects on the patient, however few cases in the literature have been responded to VNS as in our case, furthermore VNS could control myoclonic jerks in such disorders, and it's effect can be predicted earlier than it was thought. More studies are needed in the future to elaborate the role of VNS in the management of such disorders and their clinical manifestations