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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · International Journal of Epilepsy 2020; 06(01): 39-41
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712772
Case Report

Reading Epilepsy—An Interesting Case Report

Mohammed S. Hadi
1   Department of Neurology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
,
Arjuna Rao
1   Department of Neurology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
,
Sudhindra Vooturi
1   Department of Neurology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
,
Sita Jayalakshmi
1   Department of Neurology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
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Abstract

Reading epilepsy is a language induced reflex epilepsy with common ictal manifestations of regional myoclonus. The electroencephalogram (EEG) often shows focal, regional, or generalized discharges, rarely there may not be any associated EEG changes. We report case of a 25-year-old male with three episodes of seizures, precipitated while reading a book. Reported semiology was stuttering while reading with jerking of tongue as perceived by the patient followed by generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with 3 Tesla (3T) was normal. During videoelectroencephalogram (vEEG), reading precipitated recurrent stuttering each lasting for 1 to 2 seconds. Corresponding vEEG showed rhythmic 1/second symmetrical generalized spike and wave discharges lasting for 2 to 4 seconds during episodes of stuttering with intervening normal background activity, followed by generalized spike and wave discharges intermixed with artifacts recorded during secondary generalization. Patient was prescribed levetiracetam and responded well and is currently seizure-free for more than 6 years.

Keywords

reflex epilepsy - reading epilepsy - electroencephalogram


Publication History

Article published online:
01 June 2020

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