Hot Water Epilepsy: A Case Report with EEG Findings and Clinical Insights
Sandhya Manorenj1*, Mounika Reddy Eluka2
1Professor, Department of Neurology, Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
2Neurology resident, Department of Neurology, Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Sandhya Manorenj, Professor, Department of Neurology, Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOANE.2025.06.017
Received: May 29, 2025
Published: June 25, 2025
Citation: Manorenj S, Eluka MR. Hot Water Epilepsy: A Case Report with EEG Findings and Clinical Insights. SVOA Neurology 2025, 6:3, 86-90. doi. 10.58624/ SVOANE.2025.06.017
Abstract
Hot water epilepsy (HWE) is a rare form of reflex epilepsy triggered by exposure to hot water, typically during baths, and can be difficult to diagnose due to normal electroencephalogram (EEG) results. This case outlines a 30-year-old woman who experienced recurrent seizures over five years while bathing in hot water. Despite her history of generalized epilepsy, her initial EEG and MRI results were unremarkable. A subsequent sleep-deprived video EEG detected ictal discharges originating from the frontal lobes, confirming epilepsy. The patient was advised to continue her anti-seizure medication and to avoid hot baths. The discussion emphasizes the challenges in identifying the anatomical substrate of HWE, as most cases typically involve the temporal or parietal regions. This case contributes to a deeper understanding of HWE by identifying frontal lobe discharges as a potential correlate and highlights the vital role of EEG in guiding treatment adjustments.
Keywords: Hot Water, Epilepsy, EEG, Reflex Epilepsy
