'Telephillic syndrome' in pattern and photosensitive epilepsy: report of three cases

The incidence of 'telephillic syndrome' (impulsive attraction to television), in three photosensitive epileptic patients who were referred to our neurophysiology clinic because they were having seizures is reported. Two were females, aged fourteen and eight respectively, one was a male aged twenty-five years. All the patients had a family history of epilepsy. The age range of onset of photosensitivity was 3.5-12 years and the most common seizure inducing factor was flickering light from the television (TV) viewing. They were all 'telephillic'. The predominant seizure type found in these patients was tonic-clonic seizure. Comprehensive electroencephalographic (EEG) investigation was carried out including hyperventilation. The basic EEG showed abnormal spike and wave activity on eye opening and eye closure in all the patients. Intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) evoked occipital spikes and photoparoxysmal response (PPRs) at a photosensitivity range of 758 flashes per second (fps). Pattern sensitivity test using a Gratings pattern revealed a sensitivity range of 1.03-3.5 cycles per second (cpd). And the predominant area of brain activity was the right mid-post temporal regions. Binocular stimulation offered no protection in one patient.