Essential palatal myoclonus with spontaneous resolution: a rare case report

Palatal myoclonus is a rare movement disorder characterized by involuntary, jerky movements of the soft palate and palatal musculature. It can be broadly divided into two types: essential palatal myoclonus (EPM) and symptomatic palatal myoclonus (SPM). In this case report, we report a rare case of EPM in a pediatric patient, which resolved on its own during follow-up.

An 8-year-old male presented with upper respiratory symptoms, with further examinations and investigations leading to the diagnosis of EPM. The patient had no accompanying neurological symptoms, and brain imaging revealed no distinct lesions. The presentation was incidental and was resolved spontaneously within 1 year.

This case reports a rare occurrence of EPM in a pediatric patient. Careful clinical assessment is required to differentiate SPM, and brain imaging also helps to rule out any brain pathologies leading to palatal myoclonus.

This case report contributes to scant pediatric literature on EPM and emphasizes the need for clinicians to understand the benign nature in order to prevent unnecessary investigations and treatment.