Hot Water Epilepsy: Presentation of Three Cases

Abstract

Hot water epilepsy (HWE) is a reflex epilepsy that develops after pouring hot water on the head; seizures are induced through tactile and temperature-related stimuli. The number of cases reported worldwide is low, with most cases in Turkey and India. The exact pathophysiology of HWE is unknown but patients are thought to have abnormal thermoregulation systems with seizures that emerge due to the stimulation of a particular region in the brain cortex via contact of hot water on the skin of the head. We investigated the pathogenesis of this disorder through a literature review and by presenting the clinical and laboratory findings of three patients with HWE. Fortunately, HWE can largely be prevented; however, if non-reflexive seizures co-occur with HWE, proper medical treatment can be added to ensure seizure-free follow-up.

Keywords

• Hot water
• epilepsy
• reflex epilepsy