Nonketotic hyperglycemia-related reflex epileptic seizures induced by Mah-Jong playing

Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Nov;19(3):533-5. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.09.005. Epub 2010 Oct 8.

Abstract

Seizures related to nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH) are often encountered in clinical practice. Among such seizures, reflex seizures are rare, and most of them are movement-induced focal seizures. We describe five patients with NKH and reflex seizures induced exclusively by playing Mah-Jong, a traditional and popular game in Chinese society. Four patients had partial seizures and one had a generalized seizure. All the patients manifested NKH on occurrence of the seizure. During Mah-Jong in the presence of NKH, seizures could arise from the frontal and temporal lobes, which are highly activated during the game. Both avoidance of Mah-Jong playing and control of glucose intake help prevent this disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / complications
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / complications
  • Hyperglycemia / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recreation*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology