Reflex Epilepsy in Children: Clinical, Electroencephalographic and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Reflex epilepsy is an epileptic event precipitated by external stimuli such as flashes of light or internal mental process like thinking or calculation and/or associated with photo-paroxysmal response on electroencephalogram [EEG].
The Aim of the work: To identify clinical, neuroradiological and EEG findings of children with reflex epilepsy.  
Patients and Methods: The study included children with reflex epilepsy who attended the outpatient Pediatric Clinics of Neurology Department at Al-Azhar University hospitals in the period between the starting of June 2022 and the end of march 2023, We conducted a hospital-based study [case series]. Reflex epilepsy in children younger than 18 years old is necessary of inclusion. These cases underwent complete neurological history, examination, electro-encephalo-gram and brain magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: Twenty of 400 patients had reflex epilepsy and 16 of these patients the most frequent stimuli of seizures were photosensitivity while, one patient had seizures precipitated by hot water, one patient had seizures precipitated by visual stimuli and startle response, one patient had startle epilepsy and one patient had musicogenic epilepsy. Clinical neurological examination was normal in 85% while magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal in 80% of patients. 12 out of 20 patients had abnormal EEGs discharges. The most Frequent prescribed drug was sodium valproate followed by levetiracetam.
Conclusion: The frequency of reflex epilepsy was 5%, the family history of epilepsy was quite common, head trauma and history of febrile convulsion was significant predisposing factors, most of patients had normal neurological examination, MRI findings and EEG abnormality were detected in 60% of patients.

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