Seizures Induced by Exiting Water: A Unique Form of Reflex Epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Reflex epilepsies represent a form of epilepsy in which unique modes of seizure precipitation are characterized by endogenous or exogenous stimuli. Hot water epilepsy represents a subtype of reflex epilepsy in which seizure precipitation arises from the act of immersing the head with hot water. Bathing epilepsy represents another subtype of reflex epilepsy in which seizure precipitation arises from the immersion with water at lukewarm temperatures.

CASE SERIES: We report on 2 boys with a unique form of bathing epilepsy characterized by the act of exiting out of water. The first patient had a family history significant for a brother with frontal lobe epilepsy. He underwent an evaluation in the epilepsy monitoring unit in which a reflex seizure was recorded while exiting the shower. This seizure was characterized by an ictal onset in the left frontal lobe and subsequent secondary generalization. The second patient initially had nonreflex seizures arising from the left temporal lobe and went on to develop reflex seizures upon exiting water. For both patients, the precipitation of seizures was independent of water or environmental temperature, exposure of specific body parts, or duration of water immersion. Both children experienced a sensation of coldness, followed by convulsive or atonic activity.

CONCLUSIONS: Our cases represent a unique form of bathing epilepsy in which seizure precipitation is dependent upon exiting water.