also known as palatal tremor or palatal MYOCLONUS and is heard as a click sound.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES ?
Two types of palatal myoclonus are there. SYMPTOMATIC which is associated with lesions in the brain (brain stem) like stroke and second type is the most common one ESSENTIAL which is idiopathic (with out any cause)
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES ?
Strong muscle spasms of the soft palate along with clicking sound which is manifested as tinnitus. Palatal myoclonus may be associated with myoclonus in other muscles, like that of face, tongue, (pharynx ) and larynx( sound box). Contraction of the muscles of the soft palate can cause eustachian tube pressure variations resulting in tympanic membrane vibration.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Symptomatic myoclonus has to be investigated for any pathology in the brain stem and treated accordingly. Idiopathic myoclonus are without any causes. So patient needs reassurance, counselling, medicines given for muscle relaxation. Tinnitus treated by tinnitus retraining therapy.
This post was for a patient with the above mentioned condition. Even though this condition is rare, it can be worrisome to the affected patients.