Chronic stimulation of the left vagal nerve in children: Effect on swallowing

Gloria Schallert, Jeffrey Foster, Nancy Lindquist, Jerome V. Murphy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To learn whether stimulation of the left vagal nerve would influence swallowing. Methods: Eight children receiving intermittent left vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for their pharmacoresistant epilepsy underwent barium swallow studies with their generators off, on, and at maximally tolerated settings. Results: Laryngeal penetration of barium was present in three patients without stimulation, and was caused by VNS in one other patient. Aspiration never occurred. Conclusions: Stimulation of the left vagal nerve under conditions used to treat epilepsy does not cause aspiration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1113-1114
Number of pages2
JournalEpilepsia
Volume39
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Pediatric epilepsy
  • Swallowing
  • Vagal nerve stimulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology

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