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Journal of Neurology Research

Case Report

Volume 14, Number 2, September 2024, pages 86-89

Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Intractable Hiccups

Hiccup, or singultus, is a sudden onset of abnormal erratic involuntary spasmodic contraction of the diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle of the diaphragm, followed by a sudden closure of the glottis, which is often repetitive in nature [1]. Hiccups are predominantly benign, of short duration and often resolve spontaneously. Hiccups that last more than 48 h are termed persistent, and if longer than a month are termed intractable [2]. When hiccups become prolonged or intractable, they can interrupt eating, talking and even sleep. As a result, they can thus lead to dehydration, severe malnutrition, and weight loss. They can worsen pain, cause psychological stress, mood changes and fatigue, adversely impacting quality of life [1, 2]. In patients with persistent or intractable hiccups, a cause is often not found.

Most hiccups lasting more than 48 h require treatment with medication unless a reversible cause is identified. There are a number of pharmacological agents which have been used, with most related to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopaminergic pathway [1]. There is no clear evidence for which is most efficacious [1]. If an underlying etiology is found, the appropriate medication should be initiated, such as proton pump inhibitors for duodenal ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux. Baclofen, a GABA agonist, is particularly useful for central causes. Along with gabapentin, it is considered a first-line option for intractable hiccups of unclear etiology. Their efficacy has been shown when compared against placebo in a randomized controlled trial [3]. Side effects can however be an issue. Metoclopramide and chlorpromazine can also be used [1]; the latter has the advantage of being able to be administered parenterally. Combining medications can be a useful technique. A variety of other medications have been used including pregabalin, amitriptyline, sertraline, haloperidol, phenytoin, and valproic acid [2]. Even high-dose benzodiazepines have been used in an effort to control very troublesome hiccups [1]. When hiccups are not controlled despite use of pharmacotherapy, alternative medical treatment such has hypnosis, acupuncture and psychotherapy have been considered although benefits remain uncertain [4]. Alongside pharmacological methods of management, vagal nerve maneuvers such as vomiting or ocular pressure are used in termination of hiccups [5]. This has led to interest in stimulation of the nerve as a therapy option.

We present a 64-year-old male with previous medical history of ulcerative colitis and epilepsy due to right hippocampal sclerosis. He underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for investigation of seizures, which showed a fourth ventricle lesion for which he underwent midline posterior fossa craniotomy and excision of the lesion in June 2018 (Fig. 1). This was found on histological examination to be a sub ependymoma (World Health Organization (WHO) grade I). Postoperatively, he suffered from significant problems with nausea, vomiting and hiccups. The nausea and vomiting settled with antiemetics; however, his hiccups persisted beyond 1 month and became intractable.

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Figure 1. Preoperative and postoperative appearances. (a) The fourth ventricle lesion (yellow arrow). (b) Postoperative image showing total resection of the lesion.

He was significantly troubled by the hiccups which occurred up to 10 times a day. He had no history of loss of awareness with the hiccups, and they were his main disabling symptoms as they were impacting his swallowing and affecting every aspect of his daily life. He was started on gabapentin and baclofen with some initial improvement, but hiccups persisted. He was started on a short course of chlorpromazine, but this did not help, and he did not tolerate the side effects. Subsequently, he was started on oral metoclopramide.

Given the lack of improvement, he was admitted and investigated. His neurological examination was normal. He had an MRI of the brain which showed no recurrence of the excised lesion. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis identified no intraabdominal cause for his hiccups. Blood investigations results showed no biochemical abnormalities that would cause hiccups. He had an electroencephalogram performed, which showed no abnormalities, as his seizures had been well controlled since before his surgery. He had medications dosages increased and had a trial of intravenous metoclopramide via syringe driver, which he did not tolerate. He was subsequently also trialed on amitriptyline starting at 10 mg nightly and slowly titrated up to 50 mg. He was also started on clonazepam. He was reviewed by the neurology, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) and speech and language therapy specialties and tried a variety of treatments, all of which were unsuccessful in controlling his intractable hiccups.

After a review by the neurosurgical team, the option of vagus nerve stimulation was discussed with the patient based on the limited risk involved and the degree to which the symptoms were affecting his life. An additional benefit of this was to aid seizure management. After obtaining informed consent, he underwent implantation of a left vagal nerve stimulator in December 2020. The operation was uneventful, and he had a satisfactory postoperative recovery.

The initial stimulator settings were output current at 0.25 mA and magnet stimulation at 0.5 mA. On clinic review of 2 weeks after the operation, he had noticeable improvement of his symptoms, with reduction of the frequency of the hiccups to once every few days, reduction of choking episodes and better coordination of swallowing. The pharmacological treatment for the hiccups was discontinued. The settings of the stimulator were changed as the output current increased to 0.375 mA, and the magnet stimulation was reduced to 0.375 mA. He has complete resolution of the hiccups, and the swallowing difficulties after the setting has been changed without any significant side effects from the vagal nerve stimulation. Therefore, it was concluded that the vagal nerve stimulator has been successful in treating his hiccups, given the improvement with the hiccups control after the increase of the vagal nerve stimulator settings, and hence the stimulator has not been turned off since insertion. He was reviewed after 4 weeks and then after 6 months and continued to have annual follow-ups till date. He has had no recurrence of hiccups till date.

The pathophysiology of hiccups remains unclear, but it is thought to be a reflex response [1, 6] with several neural pathways being involved. Figure 2 depicts the anatomy and the related pathways of the hiccups reflex arc. The afferent limb of the reflex arc includes the phrenic nerve, the vagus nerve and the sympathetic chain (T6 - T12). The central nervous system (CNS) mediators involved in the hiccup response are believed to be the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord segments C3 - C5, with possible modulation from hypothalamus, midbrain, reticular activating system, the respiratory center, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, temporal lobes and nuclei of phrenic nerves [6, 7]. The efferent limb in hiccups has been attributed to the phrenic nerve to the diaphragm. Accessory efferent nerves to the glottis and intercostal muscles are also efferent of this arc. If any part of this reflex arc is affected, it can trigger bouts of hiccups. The CNS and the gastrointestinal tract appear to be the most common culprits [8]; however, irritation of the phrenic nerve anywhere along its course is associated with hiccups. Irritation of the vagus nerve and branches may also be a precipitant of hiccups [9-11]. Studies have suggested this to be the mechanism associated with hiccups occurring in the postoperative period [2]. Medications, toxic metabolic states, as well as psychogenic factors have all been identified as causes of prolonged hiccups [2]. Pharmacological interventions are likely to act at various sites at this reflex arc.

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Figure 2. The anatomy and the related pathways of the hiccups reflex arc.

The role of vagal nerve stimulation in affecting hiccups is not yet fully understood. Since the first reported case of the management of intractable hiccup using vagus nerve stimulation by Payne et al [12] in 2005, there have been a total of six cases [12-17], except ours, in the literature. The youngest patient was 47, and the oldest was 85 years old; and 85% of patients were male. In four patients (57%), the cause of hiccups was intracranial pathology. Chest infection was the cause in another patient. Six cases were managed with vagus nerve stimulator, and one case underwent transcutaneous nerve stimulator. Five cases (71%) have complete relief after VNS insertion, one case has partial improvement, and one has no improvement [13]. The cases are presented in Table 1 [12-17]. The mechanism by which vagal nerve stimulation ameliorates hiccups is not fully understood. It may be postulated based on the proposed reflex arc underpinning development of hiccups. The stimulation of the vagal nerve may be regulating the central nervous mediation of hiccups and disrupting the reflex arc. Interestingly, it has been recently reported that a patient developed intractable hiccups after insertion of vagal nerve stimulator, which suggests the influence of vagal nerve stimulation on the hiccups reflex arc [18]. The side effects of vagal nerve stimulation are minimal, and the risks of the procedure are similar to those of any other surgery, including infection, bleeding, and those of general anesthesia [19]. Specific risks include damage to local structures such as the carotid artery and the jugular vein in the carotid sheath or failure of the procedure to provide any benefit.

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Table 1. Existing Cases of Vagal Nerve Stimulation of Treatment of Intractable Hiccups

Intractable hiccups cause notable morbidity and have a significant impact on quality of life. In our case and previously reported cases, vagal nerve stimulator is an effective treatment for intractable hiccups, with minimal risk and side effects. We suggest it should be considered for cases refractory to medical management.

Acknowledgments

None to declare.

Financial Disclosure

None to declare.

Conflict of Interest

None to declare.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained.

Author Contributions

Amir Suliman: main author, neurology and neurosurgery literature review, communication with the patient and the team. Menaka Pasangy Paranathala: neurosurgery literature review. Abdulrahman Kolapo: neurology literature review. Uma Nath: the patient’s primary neurologist and paper reviewer. Mohammed Akbar Hussain: the patient’s primary neurosurgeon and paper reviewer.

Data Availability

Any inquiries regarding supporting data availability of this study should be directed to the corresponding author.

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Journal of Neurology Research is published by Elmer Press Inc.