Rub epilepsy: a somatosensory evoked reflex epilepsy induced by prolonged cutaneous stimulation. Issue 4 (1st April 2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanemoto, K; Watanabe, Y; Tsuji, T; Fukami, M; Kawasaki, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 70:Issue 4(2001)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 543
• Publication Date: 2001-04-01
• Subjects: somatosensory evoked reflex epilepsy -- startle epilepsy -- tooth brushing epilepsy; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.70.4.541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : TO DELINEATE RUB EPILEPSY: a type of reflex epilepsy induced by prolonged or repetitive cutaneous stimulation in a circumscribed area of the body—three cases are presented, as well as one of tooth brushing epilepsy for comparison. In all three cases of rub epilepsy, cutaneous stimuli in a particular body area on the left side initially induced a sensory jacksonian march in the middle of, or in close vicinity to, the trigger zone, which led to subsequent unilateral tonic contractions with intact consciousness. By contrast, a motor jacksonian seizure without sensory aura was induced in the patient with tooth brushing epilepsy. A review of cases with rub epilepsy, including those in this paper, disclosed a striking consistency in clinical manifestations. The symptomatology of the induced seizures indicates a propagation of epileptic discharges from the postcentral gyrus to the supplementary motor area. Rub epilepsy is proposed as a separate clinical entity, clearly demarcated from other somatosensory evoked reflex epilepsies such as startle and tooth brushing epilepsy.