SUMMARYReading epilepsy is a distinct form of epilepsy in which all or almost all seizures are precipitated by reading. Seizures typically show orofacial or jaw myoclonus. Nevertheless, reading epilepsy is not homogenous and its classification is unclear. We report a patient with readinginduced prolonged left temporal seizures, presenting clinically as dyslexia. KEY WORDS: Reading epilepsy, Reflex epilepsy, Electroencephalography, Paroxysmal dyslexia.Reading epilepsy is a distinct type of reflex epilepsy in which all or almost all seizures are precipitated by reading (Koutroumanidis et al., 1998). The most common ictal manifestation is jaw or orofacial myoclonus, which may spread to the limbs (Radhakrishnan et al., 1995;Salek-Haddadi et al., 2009). These may be associated with focal, regional, or generalized discharges on electroencephalography (EEG) or may not be associated with EEG changes (Wolf, 1992;Koutroumanidis et al., 1998). Secondary generalized tonic-clonic (SGTC) seizures can occur if reading is not interrupted.Reading epilepsy is, however, not homogenous as various seizure types can be induced by reading (Koutroumanidis et al., 1998). Bilateral myoclonic seizures and readinginduced absence seizures associated with 3Hz spike and wave discharges have been reported (Singh et al., 1995). We present a patient in whom reading was associated with prolonged focal seizures with secondary generalization. Case HistoryThe patient was a 19-year-old right-handed man at the time of presentation to the epilepsy clinic. He was studying journalism at a university. His first seizure had occurred 8 months prior to attending our clinic. He reported that while reading very late at night that his reading suddenly became disturbed; he could not make sense of what he was reading and felt confused. He then lost awareness and recovered in the ambulance en route to a hospital. He subsequently had three further similar attacks, all associated with reading at the onset. He would have a brief period of confusion and difficulty understanding what he was reading followed by a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. He also reported a few occasions when he had felt that he was about to have a seizure while reading, which had not progressed. He had never had jaw or facial myoclonic jerks associated with his seizures. All of his seizures were associated with reading at the onset.He reported that the seizures were more likely to occur when reading difficult material, printed material with small font, reading during late afternoon or evening, or when he was tired. He frequently read at other times without any problems. Writing, talking, solving mathematical problems, or listening to material being read to him did not trigger a seizure. He had not attempted reading texts in foreign languages.He had no other significant medical history. He was born following a normal pregnancy and delivery and had normal early development. He had no history of learning disability and had attended normal schools. He had pneumonia in infancy and may have had a feb...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.