Safety profile of abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed for renal disease surveillance in tuberous sclerosis complex patients with vagus nerve stimulation

Introduction

Individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) often present with refractory epilepsy and may be undergoing treatment with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to control seizures. Surveillance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary to monitor for the renal angiomyolipomas associated with TSC; however, MRI of the abdomen is not approved for patients withVNS therapy. We have many TSC patients with refractory epilelpsy who benefitted from VNS therapy, so we developed an MRI protocol that allows MRI of the abdomen to be performed in these patients to permit safe imaging of their kidneys. Here we report our results using this protocol.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review for all TSC patients seen from 01/01/1997 to 10/01/2022 at a single center to determine VNS implantation status. Patients with VNS implants and abdomen imaging performed according to the protocol for kidney surveillance were included.

Results

Sixteen patients with 48 total MRIs of the abdomen were found: 34 (71 %) scans were conducted under sedation and 14 (29 %) without sedation. None of the patients reported any adverse effects (pain or discomfort). No instances of VNS dysfunction were noted when re-interrogating the device immediately after completion of the imaging studies or at later neurology follow-up appointments. All MRI scans were of good quality for interpretation.

Conclusion

Abdominal MRIs performed in typical VNS exclusion zones were not associated with adverse events or VNS dysfunction. We believe this protocol is safe and permits the best method for monitoring renal disease in TSC patients with VNS.