Palatal myoclonus : an uncommon association with dysphagia dysarthria and spiration - a case report

Abstract EN

Symptomatic Palatal Myoclonus (PM) is an uncommon association with dysphagia, dysarthria and aspiration.

It causes involuntary and rhythmic muscular contractions of the palatal musculature.

We report a case of bilateral synchronous palato-pharyngeal-larygngeal myoclonus associated with dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, severe ataxia and functional impairment.

The underlying cause was a brainstem stroke.

Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) was employed to aid the clinical diagnosis and evaluate the presence of aspiration.

Treatment consisted of intensive rehabilitation, medication trials and a dysphagia program enabling safe oral feeding.

The pathophysiology, causes, and management of palatal myoclonus are discussed together with a review of the literature