Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report
Abstract Background Hiccups (medically termed, “singultus”), when intractable, can cause significant medical consequences such as aspiration, malnutrition, and depression, leading to poor quality of life. Several case reports have shown that vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantation can help treat c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03352-x |
| _version_ | 1797558912264699904 |
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| author | Susan Zhang Recio Myriam Abdennadher |
| author_facet | Susan Zhang Recio Myriam Abdennadher |
| author_sort | Susan Zhang Recio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Hiccups (medically termed, “singultus”), when intractable, can cause significant medical consequences such as aspiration, malnutrition, and depression, leading to poor quality of life. Several case reports have shown that vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantation can help treat central idiopathic intractable hiccups. However, we present a contrary case of a patient who developed intractable singultus following VNS placement for medically refractory epilepsy. Case presentation We report a 71-year-old male patient with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent VNS implantation and developed intractable hiccups shortly thereafter. The hiccups were severe and persistent, such that the patient developed a Mallory-Weiss tear, which required intensive care, invasive intubation and mechanical ventilation, and a prolonged rehabilitation course. Despite multiple therapies including phrenic nerve block and Nissen fundoplication, the patient’s hiccups persisted and only stopped once the VNS was permanently deactivated. Conclusions Little is known about the incidence of hiccups after VNS implantation. We present one case of hiccups as a direct consequence of VNS implantation. The clinical impact of this report is significant given the relative unfamiliarity of hiccups as an adverse effect of VNS implantation. Neurologists and epileptologists, who present VNS implantation as a surgical option for seizure control to their patients, should be aware of the possibility of singultus development and its significant physical and emotional ramifications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:38:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb8c5df8fe6444b0903b3ab4a49909b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2377 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:38:06Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb8c5df8fe6444b0903b3ab4a49909b92023-11-20T09:48:48ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772023-08-012311510.1186/s12883-023-03352-xIntractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case reportSusan Zhang Recio0Myriam Abdennadher1Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineAbstract Background Hiccups (medically termed, “singultus”), when intractable, can cause significant medical consequences such as aspiration, malnutrition, and depression, leading to poor quality of life. Several case reports have shown that vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantation can help treat central idiopathic intractable hiccups. However, we present a contrary case of a patient who developed intractable singultus following VNS placement for medically refractory epilepsy. Case presentation We report a 71-year-old male patient with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent VNS implantation and developed intractable hiccups shortly thereafter. The hiccups were severe and persistent, such that the patient developed a Mallory-Weiss tear, which required intensive care, invasive intubation and mechanical ventilation, and a prolonged rehabilitation course. Despite multiple therapies including phrenic nerve block and Nissen fundoplication, the patient’s hiccups persisted and only stopped once the VNS was permanently deactivated. Conclusions Little is known about the incidence of hiccups after VNS implantation. We present one case of hiccups as a direct consequence of VNS implantation. The clinical impact of this report is significant given the relative unfamiliarity of hiccups as an adverse effect of VNS implantation. Neurologists and epileptologists, who present VNS implantation as a surgical option for seizure control to their patients, should be aware of the possibility of singultus development and its significant physical and emotional ramifications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03352-xIntractable hiccupsVagus nerve stimulatorSingultusNeuromodulationEpilepsyCase report |
| spellingShingle | Susan Zhang Recio Myriam Abdennadher Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report BMC Neurology Intractable hiccups Vagus nerve stimulator Singultus Neuromodulation Epilepsy Case report |
| title | Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report |
| title_full | Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report |
| title_short | Intractable hiccups after VNS implantation: a case report |
| title_sort | intractable hiccups after vns implantation a case report |
| topic | Intractable hiccups Vagus nerve stimulator Singultus Neuromodulation Epilepsy Case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03352-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT susanzhangrecio intractablehiccupsaftervnsimplantationacasereport AT myriamabdennadher intractablehiccupsaftervnsimplantationacasereport |