02/18/2026
🧠 Case Study: Reflex Epilepsy — Seizures Triggered by a Geometric Pattern
Summary:
A 10-year-old boy with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, resulting in diffuse white matter injury and refractory epilepsy, presented with new staring spells triggered by viewing a specific geometric pattern — similar to mesh or window screen designs. During continuous video-EEG, exposure to this pattern immediately provoked:
💡Behavioral arrest and staring
💡Eyelid fluttering
💡Intermittent myoclonus of the head and shoulders
🧩 Findings:
Generalized polyspike–wave discharges (1–3 Hz) were observed, associated with atypical absence and myoclonic seizures.
📘 Takeaways:
Reflex epilepsies are seizures provoked by specific sensory stimuli: visual, auditory, or tactile.
Geometric reflex epilepsy is a rare visual subtype, triggered by repetitive geometric or patterned visuals (e.g., escalator steps, striped wallpaper, patterned clothing).
The mechanism involves cortical hyperexcitability in regions normally activated by visual pattern processing.
Ethosuximide was added, with marked clinical improvement.
📚 Reference: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213664
Figure:
This image shows the fabric with the geometric pattern that triggered the patient's seizures.