Ventilatory Dysfunction in Palatal Myoclonus

Andrews, Jerry; Dumont, Dana; Fisher, M. McD.; Chausow, Alan; Szidon, Jan P.

doi:10.1159/000195307

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Although most patients have no complaints related to palatal myoclonus, symptoms may result from synchronous involvement of the tensor veli palatini (ear clicks) (3,7), larynx (dysphonia) (5.19), eyes (oscillopsia) (4,7), or diaphragm and upper airway musculature (ventilatory dysfunction) (20). In our patients with posttraumatic OPM, oscillopsia and dysphonia were present in two patients each.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Posttraumatic Oculopalatal Myoclonus

Mayer

Fink

Galetta

et al. 1993

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

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Oculopalatal myoclonus (OPM) is defined clinically by continuous rhythmic movements of the soft palate with synchronous pendular nystagmus. Because it is rare and typically results from brainstem infarction or hemorrhage, OPM has not been wellcharacterized as a sequela of trauma. We describe four patients with delayed-onset OPM following closed head injury. All experienced (1) prolonged coma (range from two to six weeks); (2) severe cerebellar ataxia; and (3) multiple brainstem deficits, including dysarthria, dysphagia, diplopia, and partial airway obstruction. OPM developed gradually in each patient; the average time of diagnosis was 3.3 years (range one to five years) following the initial injury. In three patients, magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased T2 signal intensity in the inferior olives. In two patients, disabling oscillopsia or dysphonia responded to treatment with valproic acid. We conclude that OPM is a disabling and treatable sequela of severe head injury, and postulate that brainstem axonal shearing injury may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Posttraumatic Oculopalatal Myoclonus

Mayer

Fink

Galetta

et al. 1993

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

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“…Even passive manoeuvres such as squeezing of muscles, tendon reflexes (13) or relaxing (14,22) have been reported to modify PM. However, PM may influence respiratory (23,24), visual (25) and auditory function (26) to such an extent that operative intervention may become necessary (27).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oscillatory activity in different motor subsystems in palatal myoclonus. A case report

Hefter¹,

Logigian²,

Witte³

et al. 1992

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica

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In a patient with palatal myoclonus the mutual interaction between voluntary movements and the myoclonic activity was analysed. Amplitude and frequency of myoclonic activity in hand muscles were modulated by flexions and extensions. A 1:1 relationship was found between EMG-bursts in hand muscles and palatal movements. A 1:2 relationship was found between eye and finger movements. Resetting of myoclonus in the abductor digiti minimi muscle occurred after cutaneous ulnar nerve stimulation. It is suggested that feedback plays an important role in the generation of the oscillatory activity in PM in addition to pacemaker activity in brainstem neurons.

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