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Palatal myoclonus affected by neck position

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. Tomkinson*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent.
C. Craven
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent.
M. J. K. M. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A. Tomkinson, F.R.C.S., Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent.

Abstract

Palatal myoclonus is defined as a continuous, rhythmic contraction of the palatal musculature. Reverberant neuronal activity in a region of the brain stem known as the Guillain-Mollaret triangle is believed to underlie this condition.

We present a case of palatal myoclonus which could be abolished, by anterior neck flexion. The pathology and management of this condition is briefly discussed.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1995

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