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Velo‐pharyngo‐laryngeal myoclonus: Evaluation of objective tinnitus and extrathoracic airway obstruction
Author(s) -
Toland A. Daniel,
Porubsky Edward S.,
Coker Newton J.,
Adams H. Gregory
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198405000-00023
Subject(s) - medicine , myoclonus , pharynx , larynx , airway obstruction , eustachian tube , anesthesia , phonation , surgery , audiology , airway , middle ear
Velo‐pharyngo‐laryngeal myoclonus, the rapid, rhythmic contraction of muscles of the pharynx and larynx, is a rare neurological manifestation of numerous disease processes affecting the cerebellum. In its most common form, palatal myoclonus, this disease frequently presents to the otolaryngologist as objective tinnitus. Impedance audiometry provides a useful means of verifying suspected palatal myoclonic activity through recorded changes in the middle ear pressure, as mediated by muscle activity at the proximal portion of the eustachian tube. A very rare case of velo‐pharyngo‐laryngeal myoclonic with clonic contraction of the laryngeal adductors and subsequent extrathoracic airway obstruction is presented. Tracheostomy provided immediate symptomatic relief of dyspnea.