[Objective tinnitus and velar myoclonus: apropos of a case of a child]

The syndrome in which velar myoclonus is associated with objective tinnitus is rare, and in the adult corresponds most commonly with a lesion in the dentato-rubro-olivary tract. In the child, no lesion can usually be found. The disorders of function resulting from this syndrome are very disabling. Many forms of treatment have been proposed, and the results have been found to be disappointing. The authors report the case of a child in which muscle relaxants were used to very good effect, and emphasize the fact that the natural history of the condition in childhood is one of spontaneous remission, so that aggressive treatment is not appropriate.