Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS)

Children with more severe epilepsy may have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator. Although still rare and experimental, this is inserted into the chest and connected directly to the brain and provides electronic pulses to help manage the condition. Electronic equipment creating magnetic radiation may interfere with the device (including MRI, loudspeakers and hair clippers).  The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne advises that the neurologist or epilepsy nurse specialist should be consulted prior to any medical imaging, diagnostic testing or surgical procedures, and that the magnet provided with the device for manual deactivation/activation of the device may also damage equipment (e.g. videoscreens, credit cards and mobile phones).

Further References and Resources

• Children’s Hospital Melbourne: information, studies and trials regarding VNS

• Epilepsy Foundation: Information about VNS 

• US Supplier: information resource and product manuals