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Palatal myoclonus is a fast spasm (contraction) of the muscles in the roof of the mouth.
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
Alternative Names
Palatal tremor
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.
Review Date 11/29/2022
Updated 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.