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Palatal myoclonus

Palatal tremor

Palatal myoclonus is a fast spasm (contraction) of the muscles in the roof of the mouth.

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Causes

Palatal myoclonus is most often due to damage (lesions) to brain nerve pathways. Stroke is the most common cause. The problem most often develops about a year after the stroke occurs. Other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, trauma, or tumor may also lead to this problem.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Clicking in the ear
• Popping in the ear
• Fluttering sounds in the ear with normal hearing

References

Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.

Kim JS, Caplan LR. Vertebrobasilar disease. In: Grotta JC, Albers GW, Broderick JP, et al, eds. Stroke: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 26.

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Review Date: 11/29/2022  

Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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