Lingual myoclonus. Case report and review

Abstract

Myoclonus of the tongue is described for the first time as an isolated phenomenon and is related to the palatal-branchial myoclonus syndrome. Literature on the subject is reviewed. In the case which is presented the lingual myoclonus is seen to disappear, which is not the characteristic behavior of the palatal myoclonus syndrome. Since myoclonus of the tongue or palate is felt to represent a release of the primitive mechanism for integration of oral-pharyngeal movement from suprasegmental modulation, a sequence of events is proposed to explain the clinical findings on the basis of a discreet brain stem contusion at the upper medullary level.